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Wena ts “UNS PINGT:: 


SOME THOUGHTS ON TELEPATHY 
AND SUBCONSCIOUSNESS IN ANIMALS 


oy 
By C. BINGHAM NEWLAND 


WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 


NEW YORK : 
FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
In 2022 with funding from 
Princeton Theological Seminary Library 


https://archive.org/details/whatisinstinctso0Onewl 


FOREWORD 


A CONTRIBUTOR to the Daily Mail, writing on 
“the puzzle of the racing pigeon,”’ says : 


“Those who come to the conclusion that 
some innate knowledge of direction is the 
main factor simply use an expression calcu- 
lated to hide ignorance. They remind one 
of the ostrich with its head in the sand.” 


The contents of this book may perhaps suggest 
what that “‘ innate knowledge ”’ is, and whence 
derived. 

In writing of the creatures of the Animal 
World I have, with few exceptions, described 
their habits and doings entirely from personal 
observations which cover many years close 
study in the field. 

As sportsman and naturalist I have had 
exceptional opportunities for observing nature 
under all sorts of conditions, and although I 
lay no claim to deep scientific learning, I have 
been so impressed with what I have seen that 
I am constrained, in the interests of science, 
to submit the following observations for what 


vi FOREWORD 
they are worth, in the hope that they may 
prove suggestive and that those possessing 
scientific knowledge may give their attention 
to the proposition set forth, and perhaps follow 
up my theory on more systematic lines. 

However, putting aside the scientific aspect 
of the case, I have every hope that these 
essays on Natural History, written in a popular 
form, will prove acceptable to all those who 
take an interest in the doings and wonderful 
achievements of creatures of the Animal 
Kingdom. 

Cy Bam 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 
TRUER Tre ie SI Aa ee ode Fang 


Telepathy—Subconscious influences : humanity— 
Subconscious mind rules exclusively in the Animal 
World—Subconscious faculties inherited from primeval 
ancestors—Water-divining—Dog’s power of “‘ scenting.”’ 


CHAPLER 1: 3 - - - - 3 3 iia 


Convictions from practical study of nature—What 
we understand by nature—Nature compared to a 
machine—lInvisible links—Review of creatures in the 
Animal World—Nature’s schemes for self-protection— 
Creatures devoid of self-consciousness—Infallibility of 
subconscious mind where there is no question of 
reasoning powers : Lepidoptera—Metamorphosis of 
Cabbage-White—Epitome of life-history of White- 
Admiral. 


Ctra rer tLe 2) iss - - - - s s a 


Puss-moth—Cocoon of puss-moth—Section of cocoon 
_—Parthenogenesis—Cocoon of Emperor moth. 


CHAPTER IV - - - * ' : * - - 20 


Ichneumon-flies—Rhyssa persuasoria—Ichneumons, 
parasitic on larvee of other insects-——Sirex gigas—-Tremu- 
lous antennz: ichneumons—Ovipositor in action— 
Sirex larva—Antenne: specialized—Nature’s intangible 
connections—Life-principle: centre of subconsciousness. 


vii 


vill CONTENTS 


PAGE 
CHAPTER OV os aan Ree kh, ane water ae 


Blending of subconscious mind—Ants: sense of 
direction—Bees and wasps : sense of direction—Souls of 
animals—‘‘ Group-souls ’’-—Zone of telepathy—Proces- 
sionary caterpillars: habits illustrative of mind- 
blending. 


CHAPTER VIE whch ih see nt ea a eae 


Review of Processionary caterpillars—Actions of 
animals due to infallible subconscious mind—Difference 
between reasoningandsubconsciousmind—Subconscious 
mind, pure expression of All-Mind—I!lustration: spider’s 
web—Community of processionary caterpillars: exam- 
ple of ‘‘ Nature in her Divine purity ’’—Experiment by 
Fabre (French naturalist)—-Meddling with nature’s 
arrangements—Silken thread : guide to nest—Buff-Tip : 
larve—Small Eggar moth: larve—cColonizing of 
Melitea aurinia—Ermine moth—Gregarious larve of 
saw-flies: examples of mind blending. 


CHAPTERGVIN 2! 0's ateurid a (ive nek ne 


Blackbird and Thrush—Willow-Warbler and Wood- 
Warbler—Spontaneous knowledge—-Water Ousel— 
Crowned Hornbill — Nuthatch — Long-tailed Tit — 
Golden-crested Wren—Golden Oriole—Pensile nests— 
Pigeon’s nests—Rock Dove—Stock Dove—Ring Dove— 
Magpie—Firewood-Gatherer. 


CHAPTER VIL (7c Sie OO oe 


Wild-Duck—Shell-Duck—Colours and markings on 
birds’ eggs—Hedge-Sparrow’s egg—Guillemots—Modi- 
fication of guillemot’s egg—Eggs of plovers, woodcock, 
etc.—Position of eggs in nest. 


CHAPTER TX joi) a. fie a a aM te pe Ce 


_ Bird aware of addled egg—Pied-Flycatcher : personal 
incident—A revelation in natural history—Birds and 
others removing their belongings—The Cuckoo’s case. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER X - - - - - - a - ‘i 


The power of flight—The aeroplane—Flying, 
natural to the bird as the act of walking is to man— 
Chicks of game birds—Birds teaching their young to 
fly (?)—-Cygnets learning to fly (?) Swans and surround- 
ings—Swans: “‘ Exposers ’’—Birds’ means of identify- 
ing one another—In telepathic union—Telepathy not 
essential: humanity—Telepathy essential: animal 
world—Telepathy, capacity for responding to vibration 
under sympathetic action—Sympathy, the one great 
power throughout nature—Wings of birds structurally 
alike—Wing of bird, best possible design. 


CHAPTER XI - - - - - - - 3 


Flight of birds: characteristic—-Wing action: same 
in all birds—Observing flight from different points of 
view—Heron: slow mover—Rook, lapwing, gulls: 
birds of slow flight—Flight of black-headed gull—Flight 
of pigeons—Summer-Snipe: characteristic flight of 
sandpipers—Anatomy of bird’s wing—Spur-winged 
plover—Feathering of the wing: valve principle—Up- 
and-down action of the wing—How a bird rises from the 
ground—FProgression through the air—Undulating flight 
Flying on a level plane—Undulating flight of small birds 
—Woodpeckers : exponents of undulating flight—Green 
woodpecker—“ Coasting’’: applied to bird-flight— 
Partridges ‘‘ coasting ’’-—Nature as she is—Wings act as 
brake against the air. 


CHAPTER XII - - - - : ‘ s : 


Insect flight—Construction of the wing: insects— 
Coleoptera: jointed wing—Bombylius, humming-birds 
and hover-flies—Flying backwards—Hawk-moths. 


CHAPTER XIII - - - - : Z z 
Sounds in nature—Few creatures incapable of utter- 


ance—Jack-Snipe—Sounds that convey meanings— 
Songs of birds—Glance ‘‘ behind the veil ’’—Instru- 
mental music—Antenne, organs for intercepting 
sound—Woodpeckers using a sounding-board—‘“ Bleat- 
ing ’’ of snipe—Corncrake and Nightjar: personal 
note—Antics of birds—Subconscious manifestation. 


Fin 


86 


92 


X CONTENTS 


PAGE 
CHAPTER XIV) hoy > 3 ec) rea ne a 


Natural protections—Exposers and Concealers—Wild 
Duck—Curlew, golden-plover and shore-birds—Attitude 
of creatures on the approach of danger—Company move- 
ments of birds and others—No leaders in true sense of 
the meaning—Birds flying in V-shaped figure—Flock of 
birds actuated by one mind—Mind-blending : explana- 
tion—Birds fall automatically into ‘“‘ wedge’’ shape— 
Geese (Anser albifrons)—Golden-Plover over feeding 
grounds—In nature, nothing impossible—Bird aristoc- 
racy—Stints, dunlin, sandlings and ringed-plover— 
Telepathy, general throughout Animal World—Rooks : 
Exposers—Starlings. 


CHAPTER XV- - - - - - - - - 110 


Concealers—Covey of partridges—All birds in the 
covey rise simultaneously—Laggards, outside zone of 
telepathy—Partridges dwell together in close associa- 
tion—‘‘ Packing ’’ of coveys—Attitude of concealment 
helped out by colour resemblance to surroundings— 
Mind-blending: gregarious animals—Sheep—Sheep, 
crowding together—Stampede of horses and panic in 
human crowd—‘‘ Psychology of crowds.” 


CHAPTER XVI - - - . > - - -\TLY 


Quick response of subconscious mind—Movements, 
characteristic of creatures—Thrush : example—Freaks 
and deformities—Hereditary disease not possible in pure 
nature—Birds dependent on senses ofsight and hearing— 
Eyes of birds, specially modified—Bird’s vision includes 
all-round view—Angle of parallax—Woodcock, snipe, 
etc., position of eye-sockets—Equilibrium. 


CHAPTER XVII_ - - - - - - - - 126 


Animal instinct discredited—Quotation from Daily 
Matl—Pigeon racing, national sport—‘‘ Homing ”’ 
instinct manifested throughout Animal World—Calf’s 
sense of direction: an incident—Pigeons: is training 
necessary ?>—Effect of fog on pigeons—Telaesthesia. 


CONTENTS X1 


PAGE 
CHAPTER XVIII - - - - - - - - 134 
Sense of direction—Frogs and toads—Fresh-water 
eel—Eels supposed to originate from horsehairs— 
Gordius aquaticus—Migration of eels—Eels’ sense of 
direction—Eel, a sea-fish. 


CHAPTER XIX - - : : 2 A - - 139 


History of the salmon—Salmon, a river fish—Rela- 
tionship of salmon and trout—“ Slob ” trout—Proof of 
relationship between salmon and trout—Hybrids—Fresh 
water essential to hatching and maintaining young 
salmon (parr)—Similarity of appearance between young 
salmon and trout—Why should salmon be attracted by 
the baits and lures of the angler ? 


CHAPTER XX ~ - - - - - - - 144 


Salmon rising to artificial fly—Fish controlled by 
subconscious principle—Angler takes advantage of 
salmon’s incapacity for reflection—Creatures’ innate 
sense of curiosity—-Duck decoy—Dog used to attract 
the birds—Sense of curiosity in birds—Animals become 
accustomed to innovations—Horse, a timid creature— 
Elephant—Horse and rider in telepathic sympathy— 
Horse prone to shy at unnatural objects—Senses of fear 
and curiosity in some way connected. 


EURO RUT ke hte) aot Pann Gee Pa wtaiir is Uae NL Ey ay 


Creatures attracted by unnatural appearances— 
Curiosity aroused in cattle—Skylarks attracted by pris- 
matic mirror—Animals fascinated by light—Salmon 
attracted by light—Salmon problem—Deluding trout, 
no mystery. 


RAPT TL nora era easyer agg OU Fae 


Salmon fishing, psychological point of view—Salmon 
fly—“‘Snow fly’”—‘‘Jock Scott,’ all-round fly— 
“Warning colours ’’—Salmon attracted by curiosity— 
Salmon enter fresh water for breeding purposes only— 
Oxygen, necessary to salmon—#stivation of salmon. 


Xil CONTENTS 


PAGE 


CHAPTER XXIII_ - - - - - = : a 


Salmon estivating : personal experience—Futility of 
casting over salmon when in state of estivation—Rise in 
the water awakens the fish—The kelt—Real baits used 
by the angler—The worm as bait for salmon—The 
prawn—Spinning baits—-Live bait for salmon—Mind- 
blending: fish—Psychological aspect. 


CHAPTER XXIV_ - - - - - = < d 


Hive-bees: an éxception—Swarming of bees—The 
queen bee— Quotation (Myers)— Bee Scouts— Bees 
“sense’’ a cavity—-Humble-bees: a practical test. 


CHAPTER XXV_ - - - - “ . s 


Telasthesia—Migration of birds—Willow-Warbler— 
Telesthesia : manifested in man—Telesthesia enables 
birds to find their way—-Manand the magneticcompass— 
Nature : a vast machine—Circle : emblem of eternity— 
Nature works on cyclic system—Migrations at night— 
Birds attracted by lighthouse—Functioning of bird’s 
subconscious mind. 


CHAPTER XXVI_ - - - - s 2 s é 


Migrations—Swallows—Birds travelling at night— 
Psychological moment of departure—Wind, factor in 
controlling migrations—Effect of cold and starvation on 
birds—Birds travel without thought of losing the way— 
Sand-Grouse. 


CHAPTER XXVII_ - - - : : x i 


Mr. Hutchinson’s account in Cornhill (the Globe), re 
distribution of birds in connection with the war—Note, 
and excerpt from account written by officer at the front 
(Lhe Times, March, 1916). 


166 


176 


187 


195 


200 


CONTENTS Xlil 


PAGE 
CHAPTER XXVIII - - - - - - - - 204 


Author’s endeavour to show how birds and others 
accomplish their “‘ remarkable feats ’’—-Dog swims sub- 
consciously—Man learns to swim—Reasoning and sub- 
conscious mind, connected—Effects of the war on 
pheasants—Polygamous birds—‘‘ Crowing ” and “ wing 
drumming ’—Effects of sound on gallinaceous birds— 
Pheasant cocks: erectile ear-covers. 


CHAPTER XXIX_ - - - - - - - - 210 


Review of the evidence—Subconscious mind integral 
of All-Mind—Infallibility of subconscious mind—Nature 
knows without reasoning—Too long in the old tracks— 
Bird-like flying machines—Nature linked together and 
moved by the One Spirit—Quotation from Pope. 





LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


FRONTISPIECE 
SECTIONS OF PUSS-MOTH COCOON _ - facing page 16 
COCOON AND SECTION (EMPEROR-MOTH) ,, ,, 16 
RHYSSA PERSUASORIA DEPOSITING 
OVUMINLARVAOFSIREXGIGAS- - , 4» 22 
PUERTO AG seater atlas Win Ae dhe Rm hag 
Reet COR WILLOW-WARBLER 4) =e nar 
eee OR PONG-TAILEDW Elbe soe ee ere ad 
NEST OF GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS - ,, ,,. 45 
Be ROPABUACKEIRDY : atts e eal aha aR 
RESTCOn HEDGE-SPARROW)) ) 3240 ef a iho 
HieGT OP: GUILLEMOT: (URLAWTROILE) <0 500 0) 52 
LARVAE OF SAW-FLY ON POPLAR LEAF- ,, ,, 52 
NEST OF LESSER WHITETHROAT She by bed cian 
408 COS PSE AN EV cila Se Eeo TGOND NOean cto te nec Ie pant ae 5. 
BOMBYLIUS (DIPTEROUS FLY) - -,, , 88 
REC CER USI is) Goo Wee pat somes NON Wag 
HPATIFORU PHEASANT oi a gich seca 1 etek 2 122 


HEAD OF WOODCOCK - s ay awe ae 


XV 





God ts spirit—personal and self-conscious in man: 
Nature in her Divine purity is the 1mage of Deity. 


E. P. Prentice. 





WHAT IS INSTINCT? 


CHAPTER 1 
TELEPATHY 


In these days, when all things seem possible, 
it may be that telepathy, now recognized by 
science, will be turned to practical account 
by some mechanical means. Already we 
have that inestimable boon to humanity, 
the Marconi wireless system, which is no less 
than a material apparatus tuned to transmit 
and receive the intangible through space. 

Our present knowledge of telepathy is 
slight and of no practical use, for the faculty 
can rarely be commanded at will, and seems 
to occur only among those abnormally sus- 
ceptible to subconscious impressions. 

Amongst a given number of persons 
there is always a proportion of those who, 
in some form or another, are more or 
less sensitive to subconscious influences. In 
most cases their powers have not been 
developed, and in many are unsuspected by 
the persons possessing them. 


I 


2 SUBLIMINAL TENDENCIES 

This is the case of humanity, but through- 
out the Animal World I believe the subcon- 
scious mind rules exclusively, otherwise there 
could be no purposeful manifestations, or even 
existence, on a plane where there is no self- 
conscious reasoning mind. 

Before the dawn of human intelligence 
Nature reigned in all her purity, and in realms 
where personal intelligence is not she still 
continues to take the helm with no uncertain 
hand. Of this I shall endeavour to show. In 
the meanwhile, it should be noted that persons 
having subliminal tendencies are generally 
described as “‘ gifted.’’ One has the gift of 
clairvoyance; another the gift of psycho- 
metry ; whilst a third is endowed with the 
power of water-finding (divining) and so on. 
However, I think these manifestations should 
not be considered in the light of special gifts, 
but rather as fitful recurrences of faculties 
prevailing in times before the evolution of 
self-conscious mind, and in which heredity 
takes part. 

These “ gifted’’ persons are commonly 
looked upon with suspicion, and by some 
are said to have supernatural powers. Their 
powers are supernormal, but not supernatural ; 
on the contrary, I believe they are entirely 
natural, but have become atrophied and out 


WATER-DIVINING 3 


of date in the face of growing intelligence 
which has superseded them. Analogous facul- 
ties when manifested in animals are vaguely 
described as “‘ instinct.” 

In the case of water-divining, if not actually 
regarded as an impostor, the sensitive, armed 
with his wand, is held as some kind of magi- 
cian, no great faith being attached to his 
predictions. Nevertheless, his “oift’’ is very 
real and very ancient, probably dating from 
a savage ancestry, men or ape-like creatures 
with practically no intelligence ; inhabitants, 
they may have been, of arid tracts where 
surface-water was scarce or non-existent. 

Water, however, was a necessity of life, and 
the only means these creatures had of dis- 
covering it was by instinctive mind. Thus, 
we may suppose, this subconscious faculty 
prompted them to “sense ’’ the ground until 
4 certain influence affecting them was felt, 
when they would be led to scoop out a hollow 
into which the water would percolate. 

A somewhat parallel case will show that 
such a theory isnot improbable. For instance, 
intelligent man has no power to detect truffles 
under ground. The most he can do, using his 
wits, is to dig to a certain depth which he 
knows in places he thinks likely. If any 
success attends this method it is entirely due 


4 DOG’S POWER OF ‘“ SCENTING ” 


to chance. But a dog or other animal (pig, 
badger, etc.) is seen to sense the ground, and 
soon discovers the exact spot where the escu- 
lent lies hidden below the surface. It may be 
said that this is only a matter of smelling 
(scenting). It is true the dog’s nose is the 
organ by which the presence of game, etc., is 
made known to him ; but of the actual sensa- 
tions he experiences we have no knowledge. 
The smallest game-bird, a jack snipe, when 
held in the hand, has no appreciable smell for 
us, but the dog is aware of it when fifty yards 
distant. The dog also is capable of running 
on the tracks of his master, and following him 
through streets where the scent is foiled by 
the trampling of many human, leather-clad 
feet. If these performances are due to the 
sense of smell they transcend anything we 
understand of that faculty. 

The stock from which man descended pro- 
bably never possessed this power, it being un- 
necessary to the particular habit of life ; hence 
no trace of it has been handed down. 


CHAPTER II 
WHAT WE UNDERSTAND BY NATURE 


In the following pages I shall submit for 
the reader’s consideration convictions which 
have been impressed on my mind from the 
practical study of nature—observations in the 
field. 

First, however, it may be well to consider 
what we understand by nature. The word is 
derived from the Latin: natus, born ; there- 
fore, nature has a prior cause—a parent. But 
when we consider that nature is the sum of all 
things visible, and much which, though in- 
visible to normal sight, is in other ways per- 
ceptible, we come to the inevitable conclusion 
that what stands in loco parentis to nature is 
the First Cause, and this brings us to a con- 
templation of the Absolute—the Absolute 
Infinite Mind which is at the back of, and 
reflects through, all nature. 

As the differential wheels of a clock are 
accurately fashioned and intermeshed to en- 
sure perfect time-keeping and regularity of 

5 


6 NATURE COMPARED TO A MACHINE 
the mechanism, so, in nature, we find wheels 
within wheels—a continuous interaction of 
innumerable parts all contributing to the 
orderly functioning of the whole system which, 
like the clock, works with the utmost precision. 
In both cases there is the power—Life, and 
consequently movement. In nature’s in- 
stance, though we cannot investigate the 
Mainspring,” it is always open to us to study 
the “ works ’’ and endeavour to fit them to- 
gether as pieces of a mighty puzzle. As these 
pieces fall into their places they are found to 
correspond perfectly ; when gaps appear it is 
only that we have failed in adjusting the parts. 
The fitting together of this puzzle becomes 
complicated when dealing with nature’s in- 
tangible connections, for though these links 
are invisible they are none the less real and 
essential to the movements of nature’s 
machinery. 

A review of the habits and performances of 
some of the creatures of the Animal World 
will, I think, show that the seen and the 
unseen are closely connected. 

In the so-called lower creation, we note that 
creatures living independently of man are, for 
the most part, wild and shy, particularly as 
regards man. The reason for this is, of course, 
that danger menaces them on all sides - they 


SCHEMES FOR SELF-PROTECTION 7 


live in constant peril of their lives, and man 
is not their least enemy. But nature has a 
variety of wonderful schemes for self-protec- 
tion. I say self-protection, because my belief 
is that life devoid of self-consciousness is the 
pure expression of Omniscience. Were the 
creatures self-conscious they would reason for 
themselves, and in consequence be liable to 
err. But they make no mistakes, as will be 
seen, because they are governed entirely by 
instinctive mind, which is the subconscious 
principle directly transmitted from the “‘ main- 
spring ’’—All-Mind. For this reason the sub- 
conscious principle in animals and all living 
things is infallible—infallible in so far as 
relates to the imminent necessities of the 
creatures, whatsoever. Untrammelled by any 
process of reasoning, the subconscious mind 
makes no mistakes, requires no mental exer- 
cise, and is never forgetful. This mind is re- 
sponsible for all internal functions, circulation, 
respiration, etc., of the organism, besides con- 
trolling external movements and manifesta- 
tions (animals). 

Now we shall observe how this mind 
functions on a plane where there can be no 
question of reasoning powers. For instance, 
we will consider the life of a lepidopteron 
(butterfly), which undergoes a series of changes 


8 THE CABBAGE-WHITE BUTTERFLY 


of form. The Cabbage-White (Pieris brassicz) 
will serve as example. 

Those who have witnessed the metamor- 
phoses of this or other lepidopterous insects, 
must have been struck by the seemingly 
perfect knowledge manifested by this creature, 
not only that an event is due, but that it is 
necessary to make preparations beforehand. 
Thus we observe the larva when full fed, leave 
its food-plant and start off over the ground 
with evidently a determined purpose, which 
is, in fact, to discover a suitable place for 
pupation. Should there be a wall in the 
neighbourhood the caterpillar, though possess- 
ing no physical sight, is sure to find it and 
climb to the first ledge or coping, a place 
exactly suited to its requirements. After 
determining the right spot the larva spins a 
pad of silk which affords a good holding for 
the anal claspers (last pair of legs) for the 
time being ; but later on it will be seen that 
this act was an absolutely necessary precau- 
tion. In the meanwhile, it rests quietly whilst 
certain changes are in process within. After 
some days in this position, a final touch to the 
arrangements is added. Raising its head and 
anterior segments, the caterpillar stretches 
backwards and with extreme adroitness weaves 
a silk cord, composed of several strands, trans- 


METAMORPHOSIS OF LARVA 9 


versely over its body, the ends on either side 
being attached to the wall. This done, there 
is again a period of inactivity during which 
the anterior segments behind the head are 
seen to thicken and swell out. 

The first sign that the metamorphosis 1s 
about to take place (the change is effected in 
a few minutes) is the splitting of the skin on 
the top of the enlarged segments. As the split 
opens out, the larval skin falls away and 
shrivels at the sides. At this juncture the 
process is somewhat impeded by the silken 
ligature already described ; but the creature 
is equal to the occasion. With spasmodic con- 
tortions of the body it succeeds in freeing 
itself of the slough which, still in a piece, is 
worked down to the anal claspers which, in 
their turn, are shed with it. But at this 
critical moment the caterpillar exerts a final 
effort, hooking its tail into the pad by means 
of minute hooks which have taken the place 
of the cast-off claspers. Thus what once was 
a cylindrical body clinging by legs to a wall 
is now fusiform, legless and helpless, though 
perfectly secure save for outside interference. 

The Cabbage-White is known as a double- 
brooded species ; which means that during a 
favourable season there will be a succession of 
broods, two or more, who quickly pass through 


10 THE WHITE ADMIRAL 


all stages till the coming of autumn, when the 
chrysalis must hybernate as such, or the race 
become extinct. Though the number of 
broods during the summer depends to some 
extent on weather conditions, the matter 
cannot be left to chance at the end of the 
season, when further development of the pupa 
must be arrested in order that it may survive 
the winter months. We note the duration of 
the pupal period varies, say, from twenty 
days to six months. It is apparent, therefore, 
that this period is not subject to the variable 
conditions of the weather, but is surely ruled 
by subconscious mind which times the working 
of nature’s machinery down to the smallest 
detail. 

Though all lepidoptera undergo the same 
changes, each class has different schemes for 
protection, and habits adapted to the nature 
of its surroundings. I have described the pro- 
ceedings of the Cabbage-White because it is 
an insect that anyone may study; but there 
are others who show, what appears to be, even 
greater foresight. The White Admiral (Limeni- 
tis sibylla) is notably one of these. Com- 
paratively rare, and seeing the risks it incurs, 
the marvel is that this butterfly exists at all. 

I give an epitome of this insect’s life- 
history, as it bears strongly on the subject. 


THE WHITE ADMIRAL II 


The butterfly emerges in June ; from the end 
of that month to the middle of July (roughly) 
the egg is laid on honeysuckle. The larva 
hatches in July and feeds up slowly until the 
honeysuckle leaves are about to fall. By this 
time the creature has only attained about 
one-third or less of its full size. But as winter 
is approaching it must needs prepare accord- 
ingly. Judging the time to a nicety, this 
minute creature stops feeding, and after 
selecting a suitable leaf proceeds to make a 
shelter for itself by pulling over the edge of 
the leaf and rolling it up by means of silken 
stays. But before taking up residence in the 
hibernaculum (and this is the point to which 
I would draw attention) the caterpillar travels 
up the stem and deliberately splices the joint 
with silk. The intention of this act is obvious. 
When the leaf falls from the plant, this 
particular leaf does not fall but remains im 
situ throughout the winter, where faded and 
shrunken it appears no more than a fragment 
of dead leaf, here and there, which has become 
entangled in spider’s web. Nevertheless, there 
hangs a precious casket containing the time- 
being representative of one of the most beau- 
tiful British butterflies; certainly the one 
displaying the most exquisite form of flight. 
The act of binding the stem of the leaf to the 


12 A PSYCHOLOGICAL TRUTH 


living wood of the bush (which in a human 
would point to a knowledge of dendrology) 
ensures a double purpose ; for not only does 
the suspended hammock shelter and keep the 
inmate out of harm’s way, but when spring 
returns the larva wakes to find itself in the 
midst of a plentiful food supply. Were this 
precautionary measure forgotten or omitted 
for a single season, it would mean the extinc- 
tion of a species which has probably been 
extant for 20,000 years. 

The man in the street may say it is a case 
of “‘ blind instinct,’”’ and perhaps describe it 
as the “‘ manifestations of a maggot ’”’; but 
to the thinking mind there underlies a pro- 
found psychological truth. 

Creatures in the insect world, at all events, 
can learn nothing from practice, for they grow 
so quickly and are so short-lived that there is 
no time for mistakes which can only occur 
accidentally ; a mistake means the sure ex- 
tinction of the individual. Then again, the 
changing from one state to another necessi- 
tates a fresh sequence of acts. Some of these, 
as we have seen, are never repeated ;_ there- 
fore it is clear that what these creatures 
accomplish is not by means of acquired 
knowledge. 

In pure nature, by which I mean life 


MIND OF AN IMPERSONAL NATURE 13 
functioning free from man’s influence, elabo- 
rate schemes are seen to work out with the 
utmost punctuality and precision. The crea- 
tures involved make no tentative experi- 
ments, but the perception of how and when 
to act comes to them subconsciously. In the 
old-time phrase we say, they do these things 
“instinctively,’’ which conveys little mean- 
ing; but to say the creatures act subcon- 
sciously infers mind, though mind of an 
impersonal nature. What indeed instigates 
the creatures is mind of the highest order. 
Purposeful acts cannot possibly eventuate 
without mind. Where, then, is the seat 
of this mentality? We can only assume 
it is everywhere—omnipresent and therefore 
Omniscient. 


CHAPTER ait 
THE PUSS-MOTH 


THERE occur to me two instances which show 
wonderful subconscious foresight in insects. 
The first refers to a well-known species, the 
“ Puss’ moth, as it is commonly called, 
(Dicranura vinula). The larva of this moth is 
a great favourite with young collectors, no 
doubt on account of its wonderful colouring 
and unusual form, and also because it possesses 
a unique (to the genus) caudal apparatus 
which comes into use when the larva is 
attacked by ichneumon-flies, to whose atten- 
tions it is much subject. The defence consists 
of two slender whip-like processes which are 
projected at will and flourished about over its 
body when the caterpillar is attacked by the 
flies, or even when disturbed by the human 
presence. The “ puss” larva is altogether a 
fascinating creature, and interesting to watch 
throughout its larval existence; but it is the 
Jarva-pupal change to which I shall confine 
my description. 
14 


COCOON OF PUSS-MOTH 15 


When full fed, on either sallow or poplar, 
the larva begins to lose its bright colouring, 
which is a certain sign that the change 1s about 
to be made. This applies to all lepidopterous 
larve. Leaving the foliage, the caterpillar 
follows along the branch to its junction with 
the stem of the tree, and so crawls downwards. 
When the poplar is slender and not suitable to 
requirements, it proceeds over the ground to 
another spot ; but if the trunk of the original 
tree is large and the bark rough and uneven, 
there is no need to go further. Selecting a 
cavity amidst the excoriations of the bark, 
the creature proceeds to fashion the hollow to 
take the form of its body; this it does by 
means of its powerful mandibles. After the 
cavity has been duly rounded off and smoothed 
down, the larva commences to spin a roof, at 
the same time chipping off bits of bark which 
amalgamate with the viscous thread as it 
issues from the spinnerets. By degrees the 
roof under construction becomes more and 
more opaque until the worker is no longer 
visible; the work, however, continues, for 
this shell-like protection must be rendered 
air-tight and waterproof and of such a con- 
sistency that nothing may penetrate. Asa 
matter of fact, this cocoon is as hard as 


cement, and being formed chiefly from the 
Cc 


16 SECTION OF COCOON 


bark of the tree itself looks exactly like a 
natural excrescence which only the practised 
eye of the entomologist can detect. By-and-by 
the larva pupates, an operation that involves 
the shedding of its skin together with the 
cutting mandibles. How, then, is it possible 
for the soft woolly moth, due to emerge the 
following spring, to break through the walls 
of its prison?» Save for a short proboscis. 
and antenne it has then no tools to work 
with. 

To understand how the moth escapes and 
the modus operandi, we must carefully cut out 
a cocoon with a chisel and extract the chrysa- 
lis; then by holding to the light the empty 
Shell, which looks like the half of an almond 
shell, it will be seen that the interior is opaque 
with the exception of a small circular cap at 
the top end; this, it will be noted, has less 
bark and is transparent, otherwise as hard as 
the rest of the structure. This glazy “‘ sky- 
light ”’ is pure consolidated gum (liquid silk) 
which is spread by the larva as it finishes work. 
The consistency of the cement is such as to be 
unaffected by moisture, but is solvent to an 
alkaline fluid with which the moth is provided 
and which it exudes when breaking through 
the chrysalis case; thus the gum gives way 
and the insect struggles through the aperture, 














-MOTH. 


EMPEROR 


AND SECTION, 


COCOON 





SECTIONS OF PUSS-MOTH COCOON. 


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THE EMPEROR-MOTH 17 
a sorry looking object until its wings have 
developed and stiffened. 

We ask ourselves, how, when plastering in 
the “skylight,” does the caterpillar know to 
keep it practically free from bark, not entirely 
because there is a slight sprinkling of scraps 
on the outer surface which is evidently in- 
tended to make the structure look uniform in 
colour and general appearance? and why 
should it take these precautions when, at the 
time, it possesses jaws capable of cutting 
through any part of the structure? These 
are questions which cannot be answered ex- 
cept on the understanding of an Omniscient 
Mind manifesting within. 

The next case is that of a very handsome 
insect : The Emperor-Moth (Saturnia carpini). 

The cocoon of this species is of quite a 
different class : it may be looked for on moors. 
The larva, also a beautiful object, feeds on 
heather for the most part. When about to 
turn, it chooses a thick growth of the plant, 
where, amongst the topmost sprigs, it spins 
a flask-shaped cocoon. Though somewhat 
exposed in this position, it is easily overlooked 
on account of colour resemblance, and also 
from the fact that upstanding bents of dead 
melic-grass, common to moorlands, are often 
found drawn in and enmeshed, which help to 


18 COCOON OF EMPEROR-MOTH 


conceal it. Though yielding, these cocoons 
are extremely tough and durable, as they need 
to be to withstand the winter months in an 
exposed situation; the collector, therefore, 
oftener than not, is disappointed on finding 
an old and empty case. But even this will 
serve for investigation purposes, which, after 
all, is what the true naturalist is out for rather 
than the senseless object of making a mere 
collection of things. 

This moth, also, would be powerless to get 
out of the cocoon unless (as a larva) it had 
made certain arrangements in anticipation of 
the coming event. As I have said, the cocoon 
is flask-shaped and tapers to a blunt point 
where a few grass stems, interwoven, stick up 
above it. It is here, at the top, where even- 
tually the moth emerges ; but to understand 
how the emergence is effected a sectional view 
will explain better than any words can 
describe. 

To obtain a section, cut down an empty 
cocoon from the top to the base, dividing it 
into equal halves. For this purpose an ordin- 
ary pocket knife is of no use; a lancet or some 
really sharp instrument must be employed, 
otherwise the part to be examined will be 
crushed out of shape. When the severance 
is neatly done, the “trick,” so to speak, is 


PARTHENOGENESIS 19 


exposed. There will then be seen what, before 
it was cut, was a circular radiation of stiff 
resilient bristles sloping upwards and inwards 
until their ends meet and form a point. This 
extraordinary contrivance is on the system of 
an eel-pot, inverted. 

It should be said that the web is produced, 
loosely diffused, above the bristles’ point, so 
that if, by chance, anything—a small insect, 
for instance—penetrates this covering, still it 
cannot enter the inner chamber, for it would 
be held up in a kind of pocket which runs 
round at the base of the bristles. Thus it will 
be seen that no entrance to the interior from 
the outside is possible, but the inmate can 
with very little exertion push up and out 
through the practically unresisting bristles. 

How the larva sets about such an elaborate 
- device must, for obvious reasons, remain a 
mystery. 

With regard to this species, it may be here 
worth recording that a case of parthenogenesis 
came under the writer’s notice some few years 
ago, when a batch of ova deposited by an 
isolated female, bred in confinement, fully 
hatched out and were subsequently reared. 


CHAPTER RALLY 
ICHNEUMON-FLY (RHYSSA PERSUASORIA) 


HAVING referred to ichneumon-flies I shall 
now give an account of one, typical of the 
class, whose subconscious manifestations are 
wonderful as they are interesting. 

Ichneumonide, of which there are a great 
variety, include flies of all sizes from very 
minute creatures upwards. Rhyssa persua- 
soria, a four-winged powerful fly, has an 
elongated body of a blackish colour with 
yellowish lateral spots, and is the largest 
British representative of this class. The 
female has an ovipositor of surprising length 
which is often mistaken for a sting, but is 
really an egg-laying apparatus. If carefully 
examined, this instrument is seen to be split 
into three longitudinal sections. The centre 
process is the ovipositor proper, around which 
the two remaining hair-like sections close 
tightly, forming a protective sheath. 

It must be understood that ichneumons in 
the larval stage are parasitic on larve of other 

20 


SAW-FLY (SIREX GIGAS) at 


insects, some of which are wood-borers. Now 
the host of persuasoria is the larva of Sirex 
gigas, a very large saw-fly which, from its 
colour resemblance, has the appearance of a 
hornet. Like the ichneumon, it is also fur- 
nished with an ovipositor, short and stout, an 
appendage which adds greatly to its terrifying 
appearance. With this instrument the Sirex 
punctures the bark of fir-trees and deposits 
an egg on the living wood. On hatching, the 
grub eats its way into the tree and, by degrees, 
excavates a tunnel in the hard wood until 
nearly full fed, when it turns in an outward 
direction and bores at right angles until 
nothing but a thin partition remains between 
it and the outside. The creature then ceases 
work and prepares for pupation. In due 
course the saw-fly emerges, and pushing its 
way out is free to the world. This is what 
happens when all goes well with the Sirex. 
But though, apparently, so secure from out- 
side interference, the Sirex larva has in 
persuasoria a deadly enemy, for this wonder- 
ful fly has the extraordinary power, not only 
of discovering the presence of its intended 
victim, but of locating the exact position 
occupied by the larva which, it must be noted, 
the ichneumon has never seen nor ever will 
see. 


22 RHYSSA PERSUASORIA 


The ichneumon’s proceedings are as follows : 
After alighting on the trunk of a fir-tree it runs 
actively up and down the bole, occasionally 
flying to a short distance and settling again to 
resume investigations. During this search the 
insect’s antenne are seen to be in a state of 
tremulous agitation. This hunt for the Sirex 
larva is an all-important matter, for on its 
success depends the continuity of the ichneu- 
mon race. Persuasoria, however, is equal to 
the situation. Presently she is seen to come 
to a standstill, and drawing up her legs plants 
herself firmly on the surface of the bark. In 
this posture she remains motionless with the 
exception of the antenne which continue to 
beat the air. Now the ovipositor is directed 
backwards and bent round and over in a 
circular form until the extreme point rests on 
a spot immediately below the creature’s 
abdomen. A drilling operation is then effected 
with the naked ovipositor, which, held in posi- 
tion by the tip of the sheath, begins to pene- 
trate the wood, whilst the sheath, unaltered, 
preserves its curved form. The purpose of the 
divided sheath is now apparent, for as the ovi- 
positor (drill) sinks deeper into the substance 
of the wood, its upper portion is seen to come 
away in loop-fashion from between the hair- 
like sections, and by degrees the whole length 























RHYSSA PERSUASORIA DEPOSITING OVUM IN LARVA 
OF SIREX GIGAS. 





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OVIPOSITOR IN ACTION 23 


clears the sheath, passing, however, through 
the extreme tip, which holds it in place, hori- 
zontally into the tree. This explanation is 
necessary because the casual observer would 
be unlikely to notice any happenings from the 
time the fly first took up her position—the 
ovipositor, to all appearance, being just as it 
was ; however, it is now an empty sheath. 

That such an operation is possible is due to 
the extraordinary strength and flexibility of 
the ovipositor, which is not only a drill but a 
tube, and so sensitive that at the moment it 
comes in contact with the larva, the ichneu- 
mon is prompted to place her egg in the skin 
of the creature. When this is accomplished 
the ovipositor is withdrawn ; coming out in 
the same loop-form, it springs back into the 
sheath and the fly goes off in search of another 
victim. 

Now is the Sirex doomed, though not to 
immediate destruction, for 1t must live to 
nurture the parasite during the latter’s larval 
period. Thus, both grow together, the Sirex 
living on the wood of the tree and the parasite 
deriving nourishment from the fatty tissues 
underlying the skin of its host. When both 
are full fed and the tunnelling operations have 
ceased, the Sirex larva pupates, including the 
parasite within its chrysalis. Whereupon the 


24 ANTENNZ 

larva devours what remains of its host and 
itself undergoes the same metamorphosis. 
Eventually, instead of the saw-fly emerging, 
the ichneumon pushes through the sealed 
aperture. 

To my mind, scarcely anything in nature 
surpasses in marvel the manifestations of 
this class: The curious connection that exists 
between the fly and the larva of a totally dif- 
ferent species, the wonderful adaptability of 
the organs and perfect subsconscious percep- 
tions, are, to say the least, astonishing ; but 
being merely insects the creatures attract 
little attention; and except to those who 
study such things their very existence is 
practically unknown. 

Ichneumons are essentially hunters and 
detectives of the first order. Their detective 
work is undoubtedly accomplished by means 
of the antenne, highly specialized sense organs 
tuned to respond to etheric vibrations. These 
delicate organs (antennze) and their modifica- 
tions, without which the Insect World could 
have no existence, are no less than “‘ aerials ”’ 
—physical media for the reception of trans- 
cendental impressions, a linking of the material 
and intangible. Here we have an instance of 
nature’s “‘intangible connections,’’ whereby 
all her parts are associated and sympathetically 


CENTRE OF SUBCONSCIOUSNESS = 25 


respond to one another when and as required 
in the general scheme. 

Thus, the life-principle (soul) of the insect 
or other of the animal world is a centre of sub- 
consciousness, temporarily set apart, but ever 
“in touch ’”’ with the All-Conscious. 

The quivering of the antenne is a marked 
peculiarity ; so much is this the case that 
when a fly of any dimensions 1s seen waving 
its horns in an agitated manner, it is fairly safe 
to assume it an ichneumon of some kind. 


COAPTER 
SUBCONSCIOUS MIND IN RESPECT TO GROUPS 


TuE foregoing show the functioning of sub- 
conscious mind in single individuals, but where 
communities are concerned, I believe that the 
subconscious principle, collectively, is by a 
telepathic process, merged into oneness ; that 
is to say, all units within a certain radius are 
linked together by telepathy so that one mind 
serves the entire group. At all events, we 
shall take this as a working hypothesis. Given, 
then, that the units, collectively, function as 
one mind, and for the moment lose sight of 
the fact that, materially speaking, they have 
separate bodies, it is then conceivable that 
works of combined labour and joint action can 
be carried out. But, on the other hand, it is 
inconceivable that creatures functioning inde- 
pendently on a plane where there is no reason- 
ing mind, can achieve elaborately constructed 
homes, nests, cells, agglomerated and com- 
pound cocoons, etc., such as are constructed 
and which excite our wonder and admiration. 
26 


ANTS INTELLIGENT CREATURES 27 


Yet, the general belief is that they do so. Ants 
are said to be extremely intelligent creatures, 
the proof of which is, they say, that the ant’s 
proceedings are directed by distinguishable 
officers,! and so on. 

But surely this is looking at the matter 
strictly from a human point of view. However, 
it may be said of the ant, that had the crea- 
ture the merest glimmering of intelligence, it 
would not strive for an hour to drag a burden 
over the top of an obstacle when by diverging 
for an inch or two to one side it could pass 
without hindrance. The subconscious mind, 
in this case, rules that a stick must be grasped 
and borne in a certain direction, but it does 
not allow for incidental obstructions. Thus 
the insect is constantly baulked and thrown 
out of its course, but never at a loss for direc- 
tion. In this respect bees have the advantage, 
for there is little or nothing to obstruct flight, 
therefore they are seen to fly in a straight or 
bee-line. Social and solitary bees and wasps, 
who, like all insects, have no range of vision, 
fly unerringly to their cells ; the entrance to 
one of these—a tiny hole—is often completely 
concealed by herbage. The explanation is 
that the bee, the nest, the surroundings, all 


1 Dimorphism of insects, a side issue, will be touched on later 
under hive-bees. 


28 “ GROUP-SOULS ” 


are pure nature—parts of a perfectly ordered 
system timed and tuned to operate in harmony. 

To return for a moment to the simile of the 
clock : So long as the mainspring 1s active the 
life and movement of the wheels, arranged in 
cyclical periods, continues until the spring 
runs down. Nature indicates the same cyclic 
system ; but as her mainspring is everlasting 
and unvarying the works never stop; which 
means that life, though transitional, never 
ceases. 

Some do not admit that animals have 
souls; at death they are said to perish (anni- 
hilation). But this is not the teaching of my 
observation. 

This suggests to me that though man 
possesses an individual soul, animals belong 
to what are termed “ group-souls.’’ A group- 
soul may be likened to a pool from which 
drops can be taken (individualized) and sub- 
sequently returned to be reabsorbed. This © 
aspect seems to fit in with what I have said 
regarding communities, and what in future I 
shall allude to as “‘ mind-blending.”’ For ifthe 
nature of the spirit principle is to blend when 
out of the body, it is possible for it to do so, 
telepathically, when incorporated. Mind- 
blending, however, I believe to be conditional, 
and only to take effect within a certain zone 


THE PROCESSIONARY CATERPILLAR 29 


of telepathy which, in the case of insects, etc., 
includes but a short range. 

To test this proposition I shall describe the 
manifestations of a group on the same (insect) 
plane. 

Most readers will have heard of the Pro- 
cessionary Caterpillar (Cnethocampa pityo- 
campa): The moth, a common species in the 
South of France, deposits a cluster of eggs on 
the needles of a pine-tree. On hatching out, 
the young larve at once set to work and spin 
a web round and about the fir-needles. Ina 
short time the web assumes a globular form 
which increases in size as the caterpillars grow. 
When not feeding, the creatures pack them- 
selves away in the interior of the nest where 
they are safely protected. After awhile the 
branch to which the nest is attached is com- 
pletely stripped of its needles. So destructive 
indeed are these larve that a large colony will 
practically defoliate the tree ; it then becomes 
necessary to go elsewhere for food. I do not 
say they go in search of food, for, apparently, 
they know where to go and how to get there. 

One might suppose the caterpillars have only 
to seek the nearest tree, but for reasons known 
to subconscious mind, some particular tree is 
essential. It may be the one affording a good 
site for the nest, or that the needles are young 


30 THE PROCESSIONARY CATERPILLAR 


and therefore tender; but whatever the 
reason, the fact remains, they will quit not 
only the tree but sometimes leave the planta- 
tion and travel a considerable distance before 
arriving at their destination. Now, as it is 
absolutely necessary to the existence of the 
species that the larve keep in close company, 
it follows that when making a journey for the 
purpose of constructing a new home, an act 
which can only be accomplished by their com- 
bined efforts, they must on no account, so to 
speak, lose sight of one another. But, like all 
lepidopterous larve, these creatures are sight- 
less, though probably sensitive to light. What 
is it that takes the place of sight ? I believe 
it to be the clairvoyant faculty of subconscious 
mind. In any case the larve do not act blindly, 
but start off in single file, the head of one 
caterpillar close to but not touching the tail 
of the onein front. In this order they are seen 
to travel down the trunk of the tree and take 
the open ground, crossing dusty roads and 
surmounting such obstacles as chance in the 
way. No halt occurs, unless it be that the 
band of processionists is disrupted by some 
accident. Then the column is held up until 
the surviving members re-form, when, the 
broken link being made good, the march 
continues as before. 


THE PROCESSIONARY CATERPILLAR 31 


The migration of Processionary Caterpillars, 
which is typical of all migrations, the purport 
being food, offers exceptional opportunities 
for test experiments. 

Let the observer try the effect of transpos- 
ing the units of the column: Place (say) the 
leader at the end and put the last caterpillar 
at the head of the procession, and then watch 
results. It will be found that when the dis- 
turbance has subsided (this may take some 
time) the march will continue as if nothing 
had happened. Here it may be recommended, 
that if found necessary to handle the cater- 
pillars, old gloves should be worn to be after- 
wards thrown away, for these larve bear an 
armature of urticating hairs of a dangerous 
nature, a protection, however, of great service 
to them when thus travelling in the open. 


CHAPTER VI 
REVIEWING THE CASE 


Now to review this case of the Processionary 
Caterpillars: We have for consideration the 
performances of a lowly brood of sightless 
creatures having no parental protection, and 
who have not attained the perfect stage ; yet 
from the first we see them combining to con- 
struct a waterproof home protected (eventu- 
ally) on the outside by a frise of poisonous 
shafts (hairs shed with the skins), and within 
are galleries for the convenience of the inmates 
when resting. When leaving this fortress for 
foraging purposes the larve, though sightless, 
have no difficulty in finding their way home, 
and when finally quitting for reasons stated, 
they march one behind another in orderly 
procession to spots of which they can have no 
conscious knowledge. How is it achieved? 
Ostensibly they follow a leader; but how 
shall the blind lead the blind, and what quali- 
fications has any one that he should assume 
leadership over his brethren when all are on 
an equality, the same age? 
32 


REASONING AND SUBCONSCIOUS MIND 33 


The problem has no solution so long as we 
regard it from a human point of view. 

People speak of the wonderful acts and per- 
formances achieved by animals, birds, etc., as 
if they (the animals) possessed human reason- 
ing faculties. This is the point—animals can- 
not reason ; their actions are due to infallible 
subconscious mind. 

The difference between the two minds would 
appear to be this: Whereas the self-conscious 
reasoning mind has an open field, it has no 
knowledge beyond what, by slow degrees, is 
acquired from instruction, experience and 
experiment. The subconscious mind—pure 
expression of All-Mind, on the other hand, has 
already perfect knowledge within a certain 
compass; 1.e., absolute perception of the 
imminent necessities of the material body it 
controls, with power to engender actions which 
further existence and ensure continuity. 

As illustration : A spider, in order to obtain 
its food—a fly, of whose existence it is not 
consciously aware—is capable of spinning a 
web, geometrically correct, by which to entrap 
the fly ; but to no other purpose can it turn 
its geometrical knowledge. 

The reasoning mind (of man) considers the 
spider’s web ; is struck with the zdea that it 
is a very practical device ; copies it, and after 


34 FABRE’S EXPERIMENT 


some experiments, evolves a net to catch 
fishes, and again, nets for many purposes. 
But all this is learned from Nature, who 
knows. 

‘Nature, in her Divine purity, is the image 
of Deity.” A community of processionary 
caterpillars is an example of nature in her 
Divine purity. 

These caterpillars do not reason and specu- 
late among themselves as to the ways and 
means for carrying out their project as would 
be the case with human beings, who, holding 
various and conflicting opinions, are forced to 
set up a leader in whom they can trust, other- 
wise inevitable confusion results. No, these 
creatures require neither leader nor physical 
sight, for theirs is the sub-conscious clair- 
voyant mind, and, as units which go to make 
up the procession, they are so linked by tele- 
pathy as to blend into oneness—oneness of 
purpose, which purpose is in tune with the 
Infinite Intelligence... . 

Fabre, the famous French naturalist, among 
other experiments, tried the effect of putting 
these processionary larve on the rim of a 
large flower-pot, the result being (what the 
present writer would have anticipated) that 
the caterpillars processed round and round the 
rim for many consecutive days, pausing only 


FABRE’S EXPERIMENT 38 


at night. This fairly proved there was no 
leader or intelligence amongst them. 

We note that the creatures were unable to 
extricate themselves from an unnatural posi- 
tion in which they were placed—a situation 
which could not have occurred in pure nature. 
For even supposing the caterpillars had fallen 
on to, or otherwise attained the rim of the pot, 
the circumstance would still be indirectly at- 
tributable to man—the man who, artificially, 
made the pot. 

The fixed laws of subconscious mind cannot 
be altered to suit unnatural conditions. Its 
action under the circumstances, therefore, 
would be to urge the caterpillars forward, and, 
at the same time, protect them from falling 
off the rim, which would have the effect of 
keeping them clinging to it; but in no way 
would it help them out of an impasse, seem- 
ingly simple, yet so impossible where no reason- 
ing mind exists. 

The above experiment suggests the amateur 
watchmaker, who after meddling with works 
he does not properly understand, either stops 
the clock or renders the action irregular. 

Fabre, in his Merveilles de lV’ Instinct chez les 
Insects, tells us that the processionary cater- 
pillars are guided by the silk each leaves 
behind as it goes along, and, by this means, he 


36 SLE RATCESOXVE Un 

says, the larve find their way back to the nest. 
But, as regards the processionary march, the 
leader can have nothing to guide him, nor 
would the thread serve when crossing a dusty 
high-road or wind-swept sandy ground. 

Were these caterpillars solely dependent on 
“le rail soyeux,’’ as Fabre terms it, they would 
soon become disbanded and so lose touch of one 
another. Le fil luisant, however, is an invalu- 
able safeguard against falling from slippery 
situations—the narrow rim of a flower-pot, for 
instance ; for it ensures secure footing, and, 
moreover, it is a natural precaution which is 
common to most arboreal larve, especially in 
their younger stages; were it not so, they 
would risk being blown or washed from the 
trees. 

That this thread is instrumental in guiding 
the larve to the nest is hardly probable, seeing 
that the whole of the branch is matted with it. 
When a larva has fallen from the leaf and is 
left suspended in the air the thread is useful 
in helping it up again, but on gaining the leaf 
the creature must depend on its sense of 
direction. 

Though none quite so remarkable as the 
processionary larve, there are many other 
species of gregarious caterpillars who “‘ follow 
the leader’’ in much the same way. For 


THE BUFF TIP 37 


example, we have a British species, the Buff- 
Tip (Pygera bucephala). As in the former 
instance, the moth deposits ova in batches on 
the undersides of the leaves of oak, sallow, etc. 
The larve, on hatching, occupy a single leaf, 
and when this is demolished proceed to the 
next, and so on, until they attain a size when 
one leaf will not contain them all; still, they 
do not wander further than the adjacent 
leaves. Eventually, the twig being stripped, 
the party with one accord makes a retrograde 
movement, marching back down the stem to 
the first or second bifurcation, thence travel- 
ling upwards to start feeding in a fresh place ; 
or, it may be, they will proceed to quite another 
part of the tree before resuming their chief 
business in life. These communities, however, 
do not form a nest or spin a matted web ; but 
when nearly full grown, members are inclined 
to stray, though this is notinvariably the case. 

Larve of the Small Eggar Moth (Eriogaster 
lanestris) form colonies and spin an irregular 
web on whitethorn. 

Several species of British butterflies (Vanes- 
side) dwell together in companies, and one of 
the Flitillary group (Melitea aurinia) colon- 
izes, the larve sheltering throughout the 
winter under a dense web spread over the 
scabious plant. 


38 GREGARIOUS SAW-FLIES 


The same is noted among micro-lepidop- 
tera: the web of the small ermine moth 
festoons, locally, every hedge and bush. 

Larve of some of the Saw-Flies are strictly 
gregarious, and may be commonly seen 
encircling the leaves of poplar, sallow and 
other trees ; clinging to the outer edge of the 
leaf they form a kind of fringe. As regards 
the collector of lepidoptera these creatures are 
worthless, and it may be a“ tip ”’ to the young 
entomologist to know that they can at once 
be identified by a dark spot on either side of 
the head which looks like an eye, but is not ; 
and also from the fact that these larve have 
no “claspers,’’ but use their tails, which are 
more or less prehensile. 

I particularly mention these species because 
they have a curious habit when approached of 
curling up their tails s¢multaneously, a pro- 
tective precaution, and one calculated to 
startle a too inquisitive bird; but the point 
to note is the uniformity of the action. 

Although the lepidopterist has no use for 
saw-flies, nevertheless they represent a very 
interesting class which a specialist might do 
well to study, as there is still much to be 
learned concerning them. The preliminary 
stages and general appearance of these insects 
is very similar to those of lepidoptera, and yet 


TELEPATHIC MIND-BLENDING 39 


the final development has no resemblance 
whatever beyond, perhaps, the fact that the 
imago possesses four wings in which, and in 
other respects, it differs entirely from ordinary 
dipterous flies. 

The above are all examples of telepathic 
mind-blending without which (in the writer's 
belief) it would be impossible for a group of 
sightless creatures to keep together, and in 
many cases to work together for the good of 
the community. 

Although there be many (body) units there 
is only one (subconscious) mind; a mind, 
albeit, that knows its business and will, if 
uninterrupted, infallibly carry out the life- 
scheme to a successful issue. 

Small and insignificant as the creatures may 
appear (size is only relative), it would be 
foolish to suppose they have no mind. Shite; 
however lowly, could have no place or meaning 
without mind ; not personal intelligence, for 
that does not obtain in the Animal World, 
but mind which is linked with the All-Knowing 
and, therefore, independent of mental effort. 


COAST Re Vad 
NESTS OF BIRDS 


EVERY schoolboy knows the difference between 
a blackbird’s and a thrush’s nest. Here we 
have two distinct birds closely allied and of 
much the same habits, building their nests in 
similar situations and using the same kind of 
materials, but, with this marked difference, 
that whereas the blackbird’s is lined with dead 
grasses, the thrush plasters the interior of her 
structure with mud which on drying becomes 
as hard and smooth as the inside of a cup. 
And so with the thousands of different kinds 
of birds all over the world; no two distinct 
species build exactly alike. In some cases the 
difference is so slight that the casual observer 
is puzzled to tell them apart, but the expert 
has but to see an empty nest to identify the 
architect. : 

Some nests of our British warblers—the 
whitethroat class, for instance, are almost 
identical. These structures consist solely of 
dead grass-stems with a lining of hair, but 

40 





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‘(Sny[Iyoo1} sndooso;}Ayd) 
UATAAVM MOTTIIM AO LSAN 





THE WILLOW AND WOOD WARBLERS 41 
even these can be identified by the practised 
eye. 

Two little migrants, the Willow Warbler 
(Phylloscopus trochilus) and the Wood Warbler 
(P. sibilatrix), build similar oven-shaped nests 
on or close to the ground. Though outwardly 
resembling one another, there is no difficulty 
in distinguishing them. It is a curious fact, 
that whilst the willow warbler elects to line 
her nest with massed feathers, the wood 
warbler never uses a single feather as lining. 

No matter in what country these birds are 
known to build, this is invariably the case. It 
is impossible to conjecture a reason for this 
divergence. Why, we may ask, should feathers 
not be used in both cases, or in neither case, 
when the habits and mode of life of these two 
species is practically the same? We may feel 
sure, however, that this arrangement is not 
without design; when understood, nature’s 
adaptations are always purposeful. Again we 
marvel, how can the one bird kvow that in her 
case feathers must be collected and placed for 
a lining, and in the other that feathers must 
not be taken inside the nest ? Such knowledge 
in these tiny creatures is not of themselves, 
acquired, but spontaneous—ot the Absolute. 

The nests of these warblers are so wonder- 
fully concealed in the undergrowth of woods 


42 THE WATER OUZEL 

that unless the bird is watched, or accidentally 
put off, it is next to impossible to find the nest ; 
even when the bird has been started, it takes 
some time to discover the edifice. But the 
owner has no difficulty in finding it ; she comes 
straight home to the very spot. In pure 
nature there never is any question of losing 
the way; creatures return naturally to the 
domicile of whatever description ; but if, in 
the meantime, the habitation has been inter- 
fered with or moved from the original site, 
the creature is baffled, and only by chance 
discovers it. 

Although some of nature’s schemes are 
difficult to follow, there are others which speak 
for themselves. For example, the water ouzel, 
a bird which belongs to the same order as the 
blackbird, builds a blackbird’s nest, but she 
covers it with a roof. Why? Because the site 
is always a damp situation (generally under a 
bridge or overhanging rock), and the mossy 
dome Protects the nest from the continuous 
drips of water. 

I have always thought this a particularly 
notable instance of subconscious foresight. 

Another remarkable example of nature’s 
foreknowledge is shown in the case of the 
Crowned-Hornbill (Lophoceros melanoleucus), 
a South African species. This bird nests in the 


THE CROWNED HORNBILL 43 


hollow of a tree, and being of fair proportions 
requires a hole large enough to admit its 
body, which means that the aperture is open 
to the incursion of wild cats and such-like 
marauders with which the country is infested. 

Now comes what appears extraordinary 
intelligence on the part of the birds. When 
incubation commences and the female has 
taken up her position on the eggs, the male 
bird, from the outside, plasters up the entrance 
with a compost (chiefly excreta) which forms 
an impervious cement ; but, at the same time, 
he is careful to leave a narrow slit through 
which his imprisoned spouse can just protrude 
Heri «Were, incarcerated, she remains 
throughout the period of incubation and until 
the brood is fledged, whilst her faithful mate, 
day after day, brings all they need in the form 
of food, which is duly passed through the slit. 
When the time comes the prison wall is hacked 
out by the male bird, and the whole party 
emerge. It will be seen that the bill of the 
hornbill is a wonderful modification, doubtless 
intended for the very purpose of breaking 
down the concrete substance of the barrier. 
All the hornbills, of which there are many 
species, have extraordinary bills, seemingly 
out of all proportion to their persons, and 
strongly suggest a pickaxe. 


44 THE LONG-TAILED TIT 


It is said of the crowned hornbill, that if 
an untoward accident befalls the male during 
the period of incubation, the neighbours (horn- 
bills) attend to the wants of the widow and 
orphans, and let them out in due course. 

A British species, the Nuthatch (Sitta 
Furopza), also has this habit of plastering up 
the entrance to her nest when the opening is 
larger than the circumference of her body. 
The intention is the same, viz., to keep out 
vermin of a predatory nature. 

As a purely natural structure a bird’s nest 
is a wonderfully beautiful object. Let us 
examine some of these “homes without 
hands.” Take, for instance, the nest of the 
Long-tailed Tit (Parus caudatus), and observe 
how this exquisite fabric is bedecked with 
lichens which match the surroundings, and 
how the interior is lined with the softest 
feathers in order to preserve the fragile little 
eggs from being crushed against any chance 
hard substance contained in the inner walls of 
the nest. The whole is admirable ;-—one of 
nature’s masterpieces. Now look at the 
builders themselves and note the diminutive 
beak, the only tool employed in raising this 
marvellous structure whose walls are com- 
posed of moss and lichen interwoven with 
spider’s web. Although it is a comparatively 





NSO UONG- DAL EE Darla 
(Parus caudatus), 


[Facing page 44. 


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SNTNDAY CALSAUNO-NACGI1OO AO LSAN 





THE GOLDEN-CRESTED REGULUS 45 


large nest the architect has the distinction of 
being one of the smallest British birds ; but 
what a mind (subconscious) invests this 
diminutive body! Human intelligence with 
all the appliances in the world could not 
fashion a like structure and endow it with the 
same elasticity and compactness. 

Excluding the Golden Oriole (Oriolus gal- 
bula), an occasional visitor, the Golden- 
crested Regulus (miscalled wren) is the only 
British bird that builds a pendent nest, and 
a very beautiful nest it is when seen suspended 
beneath the bough of a fir-tree. 

Hanging nests call for particular notice 
because they are built on a different system, 
the reverse, in fact, to an ordinary nest. That 
is to say, a bird that builds in the fork of a 
tree begins her work by placing material in 
the hollow and works upwards, from a founda- 
tion; but the pensile nest must necessarily 
be commenced from above and so continued 
downwards ; also the lappings must be very 
firmly bound and secured to the overhead 
supports, as from these depend the whole 
fabric, plus the weight of the bird and her 
clutch. 

The gold-crest’s nest, however, is com- 
paratively a simple structure to some of the 
hanging nests of foreign species, which should 


46 THE NESTS OF PIGEONS 


be seen im situ to be really appreciated. 
Indeed, there would appear to be no limits to 
the ingenious (the only word) and at the same 
time esthetic adaptations whereby nature 
adjusts herself to the surroundings. 

The most primitive nests are those of the 
pigeons, themselves of very ancient descent. 
The ancestors of all the pigeons nested in 
caves and cavernous rocks, which is still the 
habit of the Rock Dove (Columba livia), from 
which our domesticated pigeons have sprung, 
and to a lesser extent the Stock Dove (C. 
cenas). The latter, however, has taken more 
to the open, though it still retains the habit of 
nesting in dark places—holes in trees, or on 
the top of old nests of crows, hawks, squirrels, 
etc., when overhung and darkened by fir 
boughs. One more step into the light and we 
have the largest British pigeon, the Ring Dove 
(C. palumbus), which builds the same primitive 
nest but which is openly exposed—a few 
sticks loosely spread through which the two 
white eggs, usually associated with birds who 
nest in dark places, are visible when looked at 
from beneath. But though primitive and 
fragile, the wood-pigeon’s nest seems to answer 
nature’s purpose, judging from the enormous 
flocks seen in many districts after the nesting 
season. In this case no modification was 


NESTS COMPOSED OF STICKS 47 


necessary, but there are many species of birds 
who use practically nothing but sticks and yet 
build stable and elaborate nests ; the magpie 
isanexample. The magpie has the reputation 
of being a particularly cunning bird, which 
some might say accounts for the cleverly 
constructed tectum he puts over the top of 
the nest, which effectually conceals the eggs, 
and is a protection against plunderers in 
general. The magpie builds a solitary nest 
with no attempt at concealment, therefore a 
covering of this kind is more necessary than 
it would be, say, in the case of the rook 
who, surrounded by neighbours, has less to 
fear from outsiders, there being always a 
certain number of birds left to guard the 
rookery. 

Perhaps the most artful builder using sticks 
only is the Firewood-Gatherer (Anumbius 
acuticaudatus) of South America. The nest 
of this bird is certainly a marvel for strength 
and compactness considering the unyielding 
nature of the material. A specimen of this 
nest may be seen at the Natural History 
Museum, South Kensington. Bound up with 
the sticks there appear some strands of iron 
wire which, the writer would say, add un- 
naturally to the stability of the nest. It is 
said that the bird frequently uses the cross- 
E 


48 THE FIREWOOD-GATHERER 
bars on telegraph poles as a site for the nest, 
and no‘doubt the wire left by the workmen 
had been picked up and unconsciously utilized 
by the birds. This is sometimes pointed out 
as an act of intelligence. | 


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EGGS OF BIRDS 


IN the same way that the nests of birds differ 
in appearance and structure, according to 
species, so do their eggs, even eggs that are 
purely white have some specific differences ; 
the size of the egg, its shape, the consistency 
of the shell surface (smooth or rough) and the 
quality of the whiteness, must all be taken 
into account. Purely white eggs, as I have 
said, are usually found in situations where 
light does not penetrate, or else are the eggs of 
birds whose ancestors nested in dark places, as 
in the case of the pigeons. 

From white we come to tinted eggs uni- 
formly coloured, graduating from very light 
shades to intense colour, such as the pure 
immaculate blue of the hedge-sparrow’s egg. 
The lightest coloured eggs (not purely white) 
are those of aquatic birds. It should be noted 
that some of the ducks nest in the dark. The 
common wild duck occasionally builds in the 
hollow of a tree; the shell-duck invariably 

49 


50 COLOURS AND MARKINGS ON EGGS 


has her clutch in holes (rabbit holes) under 
ground. The majority of birds, however, lay 
maculate eggs of great beauty and attractive- 
ness. 

Now, the question arises, wherefore are 
birds’ eggs thus beautifully marked and 
coloured ? When birds build no nest, but lay 
their eggs on the bare ground, or amongst 
shingle and stones, the markings no doubt are 
protective ; but only from the fact that the 
blotches and spots, taken in conjunction with 
the surroundings, break up the outline of the 
eggs ; the effect would be just the same what- 
ever the colours, so long as the eggs were 
spotted. 

There are, of course, various theories to 
account for the colours and markings on birds’ 
eggs. For instance, in the case of the hedge- 
sparrow’s egg, Mr. E. Kay Robinson, the dis- 
tinguished field-naturalist and authority on 
these matters, suggests the reason why hedge- 
sparrows’ eggs are so deeply coloured, is that 
they shall act as a warning to browsing 
animals. An animal, he says, in the act of 
feeding on low-growing shrubs, suddenly dis- 
closing a hedge-sparrow’s nest, is startled by 
the appearance of the intensely blue eggs, and 
so ceases to rummage in that particular spot ; 
the nest is thus saved from destruction which 


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THE HEDGE-SPARROW’S EGG 51 


otherwise might have been dislodged. The 
idea is quite in keeping with some of nature’s 
schemes, and coming from such authority 
deserves due consideration. Personally, how- 
ever, I think that this proposition is invali- 
dated by the fact that the hedge-sparrow 
rarely if ever places her nest in a position 
where it is possible for browsing animals to 
approach it. The hedge-sparrow’s nest is 
almost invariably situated well inside some 
prickly bush, a quickset hedge, a woodstack 
or pile of faggots ; in any case, in a position 
where large animals cannot get atit. In fact, 
I should say that if there is one small bird’s 
nest fairly secure from the inroads of browsing 
animals it is the hedge-sparrow’s. 

The sight of any colour other than green, 
where green is expected, might very possibly 
deter animals from making further investiga- 
tions in that particular spot ; unless, of course, 
the animal should be attracted by curiosity, 
but this is hardly likely in the case of so small 
an object as a bird’s nest. 

To my mind the colours and markings on 
birds’ eggs are not necessarily intended for 
utilitarian purposes. Like the natural grace 
of the birds themselves, the loveliness of 
flowers, the exquisite tints of sea-shells, the 
splendour of butterflies’ wings and a thousand 


52 THE GUILLEMOT’S EGG 


other beautiful, natural objects are purely 
esthetic expressions of the Spirit which 
underlies everything. 

Though birds’ eggs can generally be identi- 
fied by characteristic markings peculiar to the 
species, they vary considerably, both as regards 
the species and also the eggs laid by a single 
individual. Guillemots’ eggs are perhaps the 
most variable. 

For the information of those who may be 
unacquainted with the habits of this marine 
species, I may mention that Guillemots (Uria 
troile) nest together in large companies on the 
rocks in more or less inaccessible places, the 
eggs being laid on the bare ledges of the rocks. 
Each bird lays a single egg, but, in several 
respects, a remarkable one. To begin with, 
the egg is enormous for the size of the bird; its 
shape, too, is peculiar. The small end, it will 
be noticed, tapers out to a point ; no two eggs 
are exactly alike; the spots and blotches, as 
a rule, are very numerous, though occasionally 
an egg has few spots, and sometimes it is quite 
plain. 

The reason for the shape of the guillemot’s 
egg is obvious. By placing this egg on a 
smooth table and blowing upon it, it will be 
seen that instead of shifting from its position, 
the egg merely twists round on its axis ; thus, 


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DISSIMILARITY OF GUILLEMOTS’ EGGS 53 


when exposed on the rocks the wind has little 
power to move the eggs from their “ seats.” 

This special modification is, as I have said, 
for an obvious purpose; but to account for 
the dissimilarity of the eggs is not quite so 
apparent, though, probably, it is due to 
idiosyncratic excretion and distribution of the 
pigment. The occasional occurrence of a plain 
egg rather points to this conclusion. Still, 
there is what, at first sight, appears a most 
plausible explanation, and one which is 
accepted even by naturalists. It is this: 
Guillemots lay diversified eggs so that each 
bird may recognize her own egg when return- 
ing after an absence. 

From the human point of view nothing 
could be more veasonable. But in these pages 
we are not studying the Animal World from 
our own outlook, but, if possible, from the 
plane on which the creatures themselves 
function. 

Personally, I can hardly imagine a guillemot 
wading about amongst hundreds of others in 
search of her own particular egg, and perhaps 
thinking to herself, ‘“‘ I wonder if this is my 
egg; the markings seem to tally ? ” 

If the above notion is the true interpreta- 
tion, then it follows that the guillemot is 
capable of reflecting on abstract matters, 


54 CHANGING THE POSITION OF EGGS 


which, of course, would invalidate this treatise. 
For there cannot be two ways about it : either 
the bird does reason, or it does not, and what 
applies to one creature applies to all of them. 

It might be supposed that the matter could 
be put to the test by changing the eggs; but 
though it might be possible to keep these in 
view, it must be quite impossible to identify 
the owners, who resemble one another abso- 
lutely. However, if such could be done I 
think it would be found that the birds 
returned, each to the identical spot where its 
egg had been ; in fact, where it had been laid ; 
and, so long as the birds found eggs reposing 
on these same spots, they would be content 
to cover them, whether their own property 
or not. 

It may seem ruthless to attempt to shatter 
a romance at once so popular and attractive ; 
but in the interests of science progress we must 
not be led away by sentimentality. Much 
harm is done to the cause of true knowledge 
by accrediting the Animal World with human 
attributes and sentiments which, without self- 
consciousness, the creatures cannot possibly 
possess. 

The eggs of plovers, woodcock, snipe and 
some of the waders, though not elongated to 
the same extent as those of guillemots, are 


EGGS OF PLOVERS 58 


modified on the same lines, and it is a curious 
fact that eggs of this description always, with- 
out exception, lie in the nest (or depression in 
the ground) with the small ends pointing 
inwards, thus indicating a natural scheme and 
not individual fancy on the part of the bird. 
Like the petals of a flower radiating from the 
calyx, the “clutch ”’ presents a beautiful and 
symmetrical form. Even here, where unper- 
ceived perhaps by any (human) appreciative 
eye, nature still displays esthetic design. But, 
to return to the practical. It would be in- 
teresting to know how the eggs come to be so 
arranged? Are they duly laid in this posi- 
tion, or are they subsequently adjusted by the 
bird? For my part I am inclined to think the 
eggs are laid in their proper position. At the 
same time, supposing the bird to adjust the 
egg after laying it, the fact would not be more 
remarkable than is the act of arranging her 
materials when shaping the nest. But how- 
ever this may be, perfect knowledge obtains 
as to what has to be done and when and how 
to do it, but it is not conscious knowledge. 


CHAP Tink soc 
AN ADDLED EGG 


TuoueGH I cannot believe birds capable of 
recognizing their eggs by particular markings, 
I have every reason to think that a bird knows 
(subconsciously) when an egg is addled, in the 
same way that a dormouse or squirrel knows, 
and rejects without opening it, a bad nut. 

(What domesticated poultry may or may 
not do, in regard to infertile, or addled eggs, 
is no criterion, because, not only are they 
mixed breeds, but bred specially for their 
laying and brooding qualities, and, moreover, 
are not living under natural conditions.) 

To give an instance which, if not positive 
proof, is very strong evidence that a bird 
knows an addled egg. 

In my bird’s-nesting days I was keen 
to procure the eggs of the Pied Flycatcher 
(Muscicapa atricapilla). Having located a 
pair of these birds I eventually discovered the 
nesting-place in a hole of a decaying tree, some 
fifteen to eighteen feet from the ground. On 

56 


' THE PIED FLYCATCHER 57 
climbing up to it, I espied four light blue eggs 
resting within and a little below the orifice, 
which, however, did not permit of the passage 
of my hand. There was nothing to be done 
without tools; I therefore determined to 
return next day duly provided with chisel and 
mallet. The place was a preserve, and not 
being particularly anxious to be caught by the 
keeper, I did not return till evening. On 
again “‘swarming’”’ up the stump I noted 
several holes below the one containing the 
nest, evidently the work of the barred wood- 
pecker. Arriving at the top, I beheld the four 
light-blue eggs as before, but on getting to 
work found the job more difficult than I had 
anticipated on account of there being no sup- 
port for my feet, consequently the cutting out 
business was slow and exhausting. In the 
meanwhile, it was getting dark, so that I was 
obliged to give up for that day ; however, I 
had succeeded in opening out the hole to some 
extent. After climbing the tree on the follow- 
ing day I was surprised, and at the same time 
greatly disappointed, on finding the nest con- 
tained only one egg, along with some chips 
which had fallen through during the previous 
day’s work. 

This egg, however, I was determined to 
have, and in due course extracted it intact. 


58 THE PIED FLYCATCHER 


Whilst on my way down I chanced to look at 
the hole next below the one I had been at work 
on, and to my astonishment beheld three blue 
eggs reposing inside. Had these eggs been 
there all along I could hardly have missed 
seeing them when passing up and down the 
tree. Now, as the pied flycatcher was dis- 
tinctly a rare bird in these parts and, for 
that matter, nowhere common, I could only 
conclude that the pair had moved, or were 
in the act of moving their eggs to a place 
of safety. This discovery so impressed me 
that I decided, then and there, not to interfere 
further with the birds or their treasures, so 
returned home with my one specimen. But 
this egg was to prove (at all events to me) a 
revelation in Natural History. It was an 
addled egg, and my firm belief is that the birds 
left it because it was addled and therefore, 
from nature’s point of view, of no account. 

It may appear more extraordinary that a 
bird should know a bad egg which shows no 
signs exteriorly, than to identify one by its 
particular markings. But this, in my opinion, 
is just the point which marks the difference 
between the reasoning and the instinctive 
mind. The reasoning mind acts on impres- 
sions from without; the instinctive or sub- 
conscious mind, sees from within. 


THE PIED FLYCATCHER 59 


To take note of the particular markings on 
an egg and subsequently to identify it when 
lying among others which resemble it, would 
not be impossible or perhaps difficult for the 
reasoning mind, but it involves consideration, 
which implies the faculty of thinking. Animals 
do not possess this faculty, but they have 
unerring intuition. 

With regard to the incident above related, 
it is, of course, open to readers to form their 
own conclusions; I can only say the facts 
occurred exactly as stated. How the birds 
removed their eggs I do not pretend to say, 
but it is well known that animals and birds do 
shift their belongings on occasions when danger 
threatens them, and there is still time to effect 
aremoval. I myself have seen, on more than 
one occasion, a wild duck carrying (flying) her 
young from the nest to a distant piece of 
water. As the bird made a number of trips, I 
imagined she was carrying one only at a time. 
On another occasion the duck, on catching 
sight of me, suddenly altered her course and, 
at the same time, let fall a duckling which 
landed unhurt on a quickset hedge. Here, 
again, I could not be sure that this was the 
only one carried. 

My impression is that during transit the 
youngster (or two) lies hunched up under the 


60 REMOVING THEIR EGGS AND YOUNG 


abdominal feathers supported by the legs of 
the parent. 

Woodcocks are known to carry their chicks, 
and the cuckoo, by means of its bill, lifts the 
egg into someone else’s nest. Therefore the 
removal of their eggs by the pied flycatchers 
is by no means an impossible feat. 

It might be argued that if a bird is aware of 
a bad egg, she should (irrespective of markings) 
be equally capable of knowing her own egg by 
means of the same faculty, call it “inward 
perception.’ I admit it would be quite pos- 
sible 7f it were necessary. But, in my belief, 
it is not necessary in nature’s scheme that a 
bird shall recognize her own egg. Nature’s 
only concern in the fertile, living egg is that 
the contents shall be hatched out into the 
world, and, so long as this is accomplished, it 
is of no moment as to who actually broods 
over it. 

The cuckoo’s case shows this very clearly. 

Nature having no use for the bad egg, it 
goes, so to speak, into the “ melting-pot ”’ ; 
after disintegration the products are used over 
again in building up fresh organisms. 

For the sake of convenience I have used the 
expression, “ a bird is aware of an addled egg.” 
Perhaps it would be more correct to say that, 
so far as the bird, an unreasoning creature, is 


BIRD IGNORES BAD EGG 61 


concerned, an effete egg is non-existent ; there 
being no life in it, all connection between the 
bird and the egg ceases ; thus the bird ignores 
the egg because, mentally, she is unaware of it. 
Hence, notwithstanding its perfect outward 
resemblance to the others, the pied flycatcher 
takes no notice of the rotten egg, but leaves 
it in the nest along with the chips and other 
rubbish. 


CHAPTER X 
THE POWER OF FLIGHT 


WITH the exception of insects, of which there 
are very ancient traces, the power of flight 
seems first to have developed in the Reptilian 
Order, though there it has since lapsed. Then 
winged birds appeared on the earth, and now 
each of the remaining great Natural Divisions: 
viz., Aves, Pisces and Mammalia, have flying 
representatives. Had the power of flight not 
so developed, it is possible that man, who takes 
his cue from nature, might never have dis- 
covered the fact that a body can be supported 
and moved in an element lighter than itself. 
Though man has always had the true model, it 
was long before he succeeded in imitating, in 
some degree, the flight of a bird—amazing 
result of natural evolution. 

The aeroplane, a wonderful contrivance of 
man’s skill and ingenuity, would seem the 
nearest approach to natural flight he is ever 
likely to achieve; for though modified and 
improved, it must always remain what it is, 

62 


THE POWER OF FLIGHT 63 


a machine—a mechanism apart from the 
operator whose very life depends on the 
efficiency of its moving parts. But this is not 
so with the bird, whose wings are parts of 
itself over which it has absolute command— 
wings ever ready and fit to cope with any 
possible eccentricity of the atmosphere. 
Flying is as natural to a bird as the act of 
walking is to man ; in neither case is instruc- 
tion necessary, the power develops of itself, 
subconsciously. Fond mothers, however, are 
under the impression they teach their infants 
to walk, but this of course is not really the 
case. If left entirely to its own devices a child 
would walk on its own account so soon as its 
legs are strong enough to support the weight 
of the body. Like its primeval ancestors, an 
infant begins by moving about on all fours: 
aiter awhile it instinctively clutches a fixed 
support (as it might be a tree) and pulls itself 
up to an erect position, which throws weight 
on the legs and so strengthens them. This is 
the first step in a natural way. The next is to 
totter from one support to another close at 
hand. As strength increases supports are no 
longer necessary, and man in the making steps 
out into the world an erect form, not of his 
own volition, but the upright creature nature 


intended him to be, 
F 


64 LEGS AND WINGS 


Looking into nature, we note that the chicks 
of game-birds and others (ground birds) run 
off immediately after hatching, and ducklings 
sometimes fall out of the eggshell into the 
water where they swim, compatibly with their 
size, as lustily as the parent. These are not 
taught ; they have nothing to learn; the know- 
ledge of how to do it comes subconsciously. 
The legs, in these instances, are already stout 
and strongly developed. On the other hand, 
the legs of arboreal birds when first hatched 
are weak and powerless to support the body ; 
but this class depends on wing power more than 
legs for locomotion, therefore whilst the flight- 
feathers are growing there is time enough for 
the legs to develop. For this reason the birds 
are confined in a nest until the legs and wings 
are fit for service. On quitting the nest the 
young birds are capable of perching and 
making short flights when occasion demands. 
The first attempt at flight is, of course, barely 
more than a flutter, resulting from lack of 
strength rather than ignorance of how to make 
use of the wings. 

That birds teach their young to fly is a 
common belief, and, moreover, one for which 
there is some sort of foundation. But when 
studying nature we should be careful not to 
be deceived by appearances. Let us see how 


DECEPTIVE APPEARANCES 65 


this works out. For instance, the young of 
small birds, sparrows, finches and the like, 
shortly after leaving the nest, fly at random 
into the trees and thus become separated. 
Having found suitable perches these young 
birds, if undisturbed, remain quietly in the 
same places hidden amongst the foliage, where 
the parents find them and for some days con- 
tinue to feed them at regular intervals. Inthe 
meanwhile, the tail and wing feathers of the 
fledglings are growing out to their full length. 
It is now the birds begin to move about and 
are prepared to seek their own living. But the 
immediate surroundings (a plantation, it may 
be) do not offer the kind of food suited to this 
class of bird, therefore the old birds are seen 
to come to the rescue. Uttering call notes, 
they attract and induce the fledglings to 
follow them; the latter flutter in the wake of 
their parents, who lead the way to the nearest 
field or open space bordering on the planta- 
tion; here, on the ground, the young ones 
begin to pick up food for themselves. 
Another example of what seems to be an 
exhibition of parental schooling is when a pair 
of swans is seen flapping along the surface of 
the water followed by all the cygnets. With 
great noise and the splashing of many wings, 
the spectacle is pleasing and always attracts 


66 TEACHING THEIR YOUNG TO FLY (?) 


attention. On nearing the margin of the pool 
the whole party fold their wings and plough 
through the water until the impetus is spent ; 
facing round they repeat the performance, 
returning whence they came. This demon- 
stration, which is repeated daily, has all the 
appearance of a lesson in aviation. Beholders 
exclaim: ‘“‘ Look at the swans teaching their 
young ones to fly!’’ And it certainly does 
look like it. But I believe that if the parent 
swans could be interrogated, they would say : 
“The object of this aquatic demonstration is 
not to teach the youngsters how to fly, for that 
knowledge would come to them in any case, 
naturally ; but simply to get rid of them. 
After a few trials we manage to get the cygnets 
up into the air and then take them away to 
the sea or the larger lakes, and if they attempt 
to return, much as we love them, we are com- 
pelled to drive them away; for you will 
observe that this piece of water is of small 
dimensions, and therefore not calculated to 
maintain more than our two selves after the 
winter has set in.”’ 

And so it 1s, a pair of swans take possession 
of a small lake or pond and make it their 
home for life. If there is an island on the lake, 
so much the better, it will surely be chosen as 
a nesting site. 


REPLENISHING THE EARTH 67 


The water and surroundings are in every 
way suited to a pair of birds together with 
their brood for the summer, when the weed is 
abundant, but the place cannot permanently 
accommodate a number of these large birds, 
therefore the young must be sent off elsewhere 
to shift for themselves. 

A law of nature decrees that as each genera- 
tion comes into existence it shall be seasonally 
scattered and distributed broadcast in order 
that gaps may be filled and the earth replen- 
ished. The old swans, in the meanwhile, have 
no conscious knowledge of these, nature’s 
great schemes, but being one with nature are 
subconsciously impressed to act in certain 
ways at definite times and seasons. This they 
do with the utmost regularity and punctu- 
ality, not only swans but all wild-life, animal 
and vegetable alike. 

Swans are “‘exposers”’; they do not seek 
protection under cover, but face an enemy 
boldly in the open even to the point of attack, 
and at the breeding season clear the precincts 
of the nest of every living creature. So fierce 
are they when engaged with their domestic 
affairs that to approach the nest is a matter of 
some danger ; but though on occasion roused 
to fits of anger, the mated (for life) couple show 
great affection and attachment for each other. 


68 HOW BIRDS RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER 


Swans resemble one another to an extent 
that makes it next to impossible to identify 
any particular bird when a number are col- 
lected together. We can, however, note the 
males, females and cygnets; otherwise, any 
one in its class is as like to another as it is 
possible to be. 

Now the question is, how do the birds manage 
to pair off with their rightful owners when many 
are together in company (a herd of swans) ? 

To suppose that a husband, in bird life, 
can recognize his wife by facial or other dis- 
tinguishing features, would imply that we are 
still stumbling over the old obstacle—reasoning 
mind. 

To recognize and identify anything from 
outward appearances means, at least, mo- 
mentary consideration. But, we have agreed, 
birds don’t think, not even for a moment (to 
think is impossible without word-forms) ; 
therefore, to scrutinize a mate with a view to 
identification cannot be done without con- 
scious mental effort. Birds have no need of 
any effort of the kind, because, within a 
certain area, telepathy unites them; in the 
case of a mated couple the connecting link is 
yet stronger. Thus the birds pair off together, 
whether in the daytime, or at night, without 
necessarily calling to one another. 


TELEPATHY A POTENTIAL FACULTY 69 


As I said at the commencement of this 
treatise, telepathy is only just traceable in 
man ; the power has declined proportionately 
as his self-conscious mind assumed control. 
It is therefore no longer essential. But in the 
Animal World telepathy is a potential faculty 
which inter-connects subconscious mind ; the 
creatures are thus en rapport ; silent inter- 
course is established which, in my _ belief, 
accounts for the combined movements and 
achievements where two or more work to- 
gether in perfect sympathy without language 
or direction. If this is so, it is possible to 
understand how a pair of birds, between them, 
construct a nest. 

Telepathy is the capacity for responding to 
spiritual vibration under sympathetic action. 
Sympathy is the one great power throughout 
nature. 

Sympathy is Love—love which engenders 
all things.... 


The swan (Cygnus olor) is the heaviest 
British bird that flies. The wings of a swan 
are extremely powerful, and when cleaving 
the air make a whistling sound which can be 
heard for a long distance. 

The weight of a full-grown swan is about 
30 lb., and the stretch of wings over 6 ft. The 


70 WINGS STRUCTURALLY ALIKE 
golden-crested regulus weighs 80 grains, with 
a wing extension of 6in. The wings of both 
species are structurally alike, and so are the 
wings of all birds. The feathering system, 
subject to modifications, is also the same 
throughout. This clearly shows that the wing 
of a bird is the best possible design for the 
purpose. It has been naturally evolved and 
apparently reached finality, for it is incon- 
ceivable that flight could be more perfect 
than manifested by some birds. For instance, 
the majestic flight of an eagle, the marvel- 
lous aerial evolutions performed by the swift, 
or the lightning rapidity of the humming- 
bird’s flight, only to mention three. In truth, 
these aviators, each in its own realm, holds 
complete mastery of the air. 


‘of asvd sur1gw yy 


“(e[[aTATAS eonaIng) 
TVOUHLELIEMW AdSsa THO) LSain 








CHAPTER XI 
DIFFERENT MODES OF FLIGHT 


It has never been quite determined how a bird 
flies. Flight differs according to the species, 
and is characteristic in so far that we can 
generally tell what manner of bird it is from 
the style of flight. Some birds fly in a straight 
line, some with an undulating flight, and others 
erratically. Then there are the slow and 
rapid fliers; but when all is said, the wing 
action is the same, viz., a straight up-and- 
down movement, more or less rapid. 

It may be said that a straight up-and-down 
flapping action, though it may have the effect 
of lifting a bird into the air, would not propel 
it in a forward direction on a level plane. 
Some believe that the forward motion is 
obtained by a “scooping ”’ action ; it is said 
that the wing moves in the form of a figure 8, 
something on the principle of an oar when 
pulled or pushed through the water and 
‘feathered ’”’ back into position for the next 
stroke, a mode of propulsion which serves well 

71 


G2 OBSERVING BIRD-FLIGHT 


enough when the movements are compara- 
tively slow, for there is then time to effect 
them, but in the case of the bird there is no 
time for a complicated movement, a double 
action, as it were, at each succeeding wing- 
beat. 

This principle, it seems to me, would 
scarcely apply to a humming-bird, for exam- 
ple, a bird that vibrates its wings with such 
rapidity as to become invisible, and which, as 
the name implies, produce a musical note. 
The humming-bird’s wing is modelled in the 
same way as other birds, therefore we may 
presume they are actuated in the same way, 
only faster. 

As bird-flight can be witnessed at any 
time, it is better to study it practically than 
theorize about it. When flying, birds should 
be watched from different points of view ; 
from above, from underneath, laterally, and, 
at the same time, as closely as may be. 
Given, then, that all birds fly on the same 
principle, if not in the same form, we shall do 
well to mark the wing action of a slow flier, 
in which case each stroke of the wing can be 
distinctly seen. A heron, for instance, is a 
slow mover, and, therefore, a good subject for 
study in this respect, the only objection being 
that the bird is wary and difficult of approach; 


THE HERON: A SLOW FLYER 73 


but opportunities do occur. As a matter of 
fact, they occur frequently in the experience 
of anglers. When a heron, suddenly surprised, 
flies from the bed of a stream, what does the 
angler note? After the first awkward rise in 
which the bird nearly overbalances in its 
efforts to get clear of the bushes, the wings 
assume their normal action—a steady up-and- 
down flap-flapping—and though no “ scoop- 
ing ’’ can be detected, the bird gathers way 
and is soon out of range. 

Though they serve perfectly for this par- 
ticular bird’s requirements, the wings of the 
heron are cumbersome and obviously ill- 
adapted to eccentric movements such as 
“scooping ’’ must entail. Therefore it seems 
unlikely that any such action exists; at all 
events, it is not apparent. 

Among slow-flying birds may be included 
the rook, lapwing (green plover) and gulls. 
The flight of the black-headed gull can be 
investigated at close range when these birds 
are being fed with bread, which, by the way, 
they catch very deftly. 

The black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) 
appears a much larger bird than it really is, 
which is due to a dense coating of light body- 
feathers and large expanse of wing. Though 
the body is light the wings are strong and 


74 PIGEONS’ FLIGHT 

muscular. The result of this is that when 
the bird flies with energy, the body is 
‘hoisted’ at each downward beat of the 
wings, instead of maintaining a level plane 
as in the case of most birds. This uneven 
motion ceases when the gull ‘‘ glides.” In 
this instance we can detect nothing be- 
yond a simple up-and-down flapping of the 
wings. 

Pigeons illustrate another style of flight. 
Now tame pigeons afford every facility for 
observation, and should be watched when 
alighting and on rising from the ground at 
feeding times. For the most part, beyond 
admiring the graceful flight of these creatures, 
people pay no particular attention to the ac- 
tual system of their flight ; as birds they fly, 
naturally, of course, and there it ends. But 
J think it might be instructive if those in- 
terested were to write, for publication in some 
paper, their views on this matter of flight, 
which at the present time is of exceptional 
interest. Personally, I herein state my own 
opinions which, though not necessarily the 
true interpretation, may nevertheless be found 
suggestive. 

A migrant known as the “ summer-snipe ”’ 
(Iringoides hypoleucos), arriving in April, and 
which frequents streams and the margins of 


THE FLIGHT OF SANDPIPERS 75 
lakes in this country, shows to advantage the 
characteristic flight of the sandpiper tribe. 
This speciality of flight is well adapted to birds 
whose habit it is to skim lightly over the 
surface of the water, or equally over the face 
of level sand-tracts. This bird permits of close 
inspection when nesting, and the chief point 
to note in regard to its flight is the very 
short up-and-down movement of the wings, 
the scope of action being less than in any other 
genus. It would seem that the down-stroke 
is suddenly checked when on a level with the 
body of the bird, which permits of the sand- 
piper flying close to the surface without, at 
the same time, touching the water with the 
tips of its wings. The space between the bird’s 
breast and the water is probably less than an 
inch when thus “‘ flitting ’’ from shore to shore, 
for though the tips of the wings never actually 
touch the water, little puffs of air in the wake 
of the bird may be seen ruffling the surface 
when the water is smooth. 

This is a very graceful flight, characteristic 
of all the sandpipers, but not in the least calcu- 
lated for “‘ scooping,’’ because, as [ have said, 
the wing-beat is too short to allow of any 
secondary movement. 

Now that we have considered some of the 
different forms of flight, we shall examine 


70 ANATOMY OF BIRD’S WING 


the wing itself. Without going too deeply 
into anatomy, it may be briefly said that 
the wing of a bird corresponds to the arm of 
the human species, and that the chief bones 
include the brachium, antibrachium and 
manus (the hand), from which subtends, in 
fan-like extension, the ‘‘primaries’’ or flight- 
feathers; next in order to these are the 
‘ secondaries,’’ and above, proceeding from 
the shoulder, the scapular feathers which form 
the wing cover. There is also a group of stiff 
feathers attached to a small spur-like bone 
(the thumb) which projects from the meta- 
carpus or wrist joint; this is known as the 
bastard wing. In the Spur-Winged Plover, 
the digit terminates in a hook, and is apparent 
outside the plumage. 

The wings of birds are curved, some more so 
than others. The feathers overlap one another 
and lie closely appressed, taking the same line 
of curvature, consequently are more or less 
bent according to their relative positions on 
the wing. The curved shaft of each feather 
tapers to a sharp point, which renders the 
feathers spring-like and resilient; thus the 
feather is seen to bend under pressure from 
above, but resists pressure in a contrary 
direction. This is the nature of a single 
feather, and the same applies exactly to the 


WINGS IN ACTION "7 


wing taken as a whole; in fact, it is the 
valve principle. 

To see how this plumous adaptation actually 
behaves when in operation it will be necessary 
to proceed slowly in order to follow each 
movement separately. 

The first act is the spreading of the wing. 
Unfolding at the elbow, the ‘‘arm”’ is ex- 
tended and held in a rigid position at right 
angles to the body; set in motion it beats 
the air with a uniform straight up-and-down 
action. Now, for a moment, supposing in the 
place of the wing, we substitute a flat piece of 
wood of the same shape and subject it to the 
same movement; at the utmost speed it 
would never develop lifting power in the 
slightest degree, simply because the air presses 
equally on both sides ; but in the case of the 
wing, the air pressure is nof equal on both 
surfaces. At the up-stroke the whole wing 
bends to the pressure, which reduces the 
surface area whilst the air slides easily from 
off the rounded form; at the same time, the 
primary and secondary feathers, being un- 
supported for their greater length, open out, 
allowing passage to the air. Thus it will be 
seen that the upper surface of the wing offers 
very little resistance. But all this is reversed 
at the down-stroke, when the under-surface 


78 BIRDS RISING FROM THE GROUND 


feathers, subjected to the air-pressure, flatten 
up against one another, but are supported by 
graduated tiers of feathers at the back, thus 
effectually stopping the air ; at the same time 
the wing yields to the flattening process, which 
naturally tends to increase the surface area. 
Therefore it is obvious that when the wings 
are actuated in the manner described, uplifting 
force is enormously developed. 

Presuming the above description virtually 
correct, we understand how a bird rises from 
the ground ; the angle at which it rises, how- 
ever, depends on the species, and also on the 
nature of the place it happens to be in at the 
time. For instance, a woodcock, surrounded by 
dense covert, rises perpendicularly until clearing 
the tree-tops, and does so with great rapidity. 
Duck, especially teal, fly straight up from a 
reed-bed, or from water overhung by trees. 

On the other hand, a swan, like an aero- 
plane, must “‘ taxi’’ along the surface before 
it can rise. The reason for this is that the 
weight of the bird counteracts any attempt at 
a spring from the water in the first instance, 
consequently the wings lose half their lifting 
power by coming in contact with the water; 
but once clear it takes an upward inclination, 
though this bird can never rise directly above 
a certain angle on account of its weight. 


THREE MODES OF FLIGHT 79 


Having got the bird well up into the air by 
means of the uplifting power of the wings, it 
now behoves us to investigate the secret of 
forward momentum. 

Progression through the air, in my belief, is 
acquired in three ways, viz., by undulating 
flight on outstretched motionless pintons ; 
“coasting ’”’ flight, and flight resulting from 
wing action only; the latter being the ordin- 
ary flight of the generality of birds. 

Undulating flight on motionless pinions is 
confined to “‘ gliders,’’ such as gulls and others. 
Several species of the gull tribe, without 
stirring their wings, are capable of following, 
and even overtaking, a ship against a head 
wind, and I have little doubt that a gull or 
other “soaring ”’ bird, on attaining a certain 
altitude, has the power (not that it uses it) to 
travel in this fashion indefinitely. Undulating 
flight might be compared with the “ switch- 
back ’’ system, only more so, because in the 
bird’s case, the impetus gained by the down- 
ward slope, aided by the wind, suffices to 
bring the “ glider ’’ back to the same level, or 
even above it. This, however, is “‘ gliding ”’ ; 
flying directly through the air is another 
matter. | 

When ducks, geese, plover, etc., are seen 
overhead, travelling to some distant spot, the 
G 


80 FORWARD PROPULSION 


birds are then flying on a level plane (parallel 
to the earth), the action of the wings is con- 
tinuous ; should, however, one or more of the 
birds show an inclination to “coast ’’ it is a 
sure sign that the “‘ flight ’’ is about to descend, 
otherwise the wings never cease beating the 
air. Therefore it is obvious that forward 
motion results directly from the wing action 
independently of “‘ gliding’’ or “undulating ”’ ; 
in which case, the wings, for the time being, 
are out of action and serve merely as supports. 

Now we have to consider how this beating 
of the wings engenders propulsion? On again 
examining the wing of a bird, we observe that 
the “ plumage ”’ gradually tapers away from 
the ‘‘arm’”’ to a thin marginal edge defined 
by the extremities, in juxtaposition, of single 
feathers, spring-like and resilient. We have 
already seen that when the wing is lifted 
(up-stroke) it meets with practically no resist- 
ance, therefore it 1s the down-stroke which 
counts. 

Now, by way of experiment, we shall 
imagine this wing actuated from the shoulder 
in the natural way, straight up-and-down, 
but from a stationary body. The effect upon 
the air, which can be tested, is that a draught 
is set up which flows away from behind the 
wing at each successive down-beat ; in short, 


FLYING ON A LEVEL PLANE SI 


the wing displaces the air in the same way asif 
it were a fan—a fan, however, so constructed 
as to work with a single or one-sided action. 
When the wing or pair of wings are thus set 
in motion at high velocity, it is easy to under- 
stand what the result must be when these 
wings are attached to a free body, light and so 
shaped as to present the least possible resist- 
ance to the air. 

Flying on a level plane, unaided by the 
wind, a duck travels at the rate of, say, 50 
miles per hour; this is the limit of the bird’s 
flying powers which can only be accelerated 
by the assistance of a favourable wind. Con- 
versely, the flight is retarded by an adverse 
wind. Speed is again accelerated when the 
bird, still using its wings, leaves the mean 
level and flies earthward; in this event 
acceleration is due to gravitation. But the 
test of the wing-driving power is what a bird 
can do on a level plane without assistance from 
the wind. Flying at an angle above the mean 
level reduces speed inversely as the angle of 
inclination becomes steeper. It must, how- 
ever, be understood, that though the wings are 
now lifting as well as propelling the bird, their 
position and scope of action in relation to the 
body is still, as always, the same. Like the 
paddle-wheels of a steamer which actin concert 


82 UNDULATING FLIGHT - 


and keep in line with the sides of the ship, 
however much the latter is tossed and rolled 
about, so it is with the wings of the bird ; 
these do not twist in their sockets, but keep the 
same alignment whatever the emergency. It 
is not the wings, but the body of the bird 
which changes position, inclining upwards or 
downwards, as the case may be. To acquire 
lifting power the body of the bird must be 
tilted in an upward direction. When flying 
on a mean level lifting force is neutralized and 
the wings act as fans. 

Undulating, apart from “ gliding,” is a style 
of flight common to many of the smaller 
birds. Alternately using and closing the wings, 
the bird sweeps along in wave-like undulations. 
As the wings are folded the bird falls slantingly 
and is thus carried on in the same direction 
until the wings are brought into action, when 
again it slopes up to the former level, or any 
level required. This is a speciality of flight 
exactly adapted to these (perching) birds’ 
requirements ; for it will be noticed that a 
bird with undulating flight comes to its perch 
with an upward sweep and alights the moment 
the energy is spent. Provided the perch is 
stable the bird comes to rest without a flutter 
—without overbalancing by so much as a 
hair’s breadth. Such wondrous precision and 


NATURAL EQUILIBRISTS 83 


poise is only possible to these natural equili- 
brists who have not to think about their 
actions, but who are inspired by infallible 
subconsciousness, Once a bird began to 
consider distances and to calculate the effects 
of gravitation, etc., like a human being, it 
would have to learn by practice how to do 
these things ; moreover, some would prove less 
proficient than others, whereas we observe in 
nature that birds on gaining their full powers 
are, one and all, faultlessly perfect in their 
manifestations, whatsoever. The slightest 
failing means prompt extinction of the indi- 
vidual. 

Woodpeckers are, perhaps, the best ex- 
ponents of undulating flight. The green- 
woodpecker (Picus viridis) is the largest 
British bird to fly in this fashion, and can 
always be identified by its flight independent- 
ly of its briliant plumage. One has only to 
watch a bird of this species flying from tree to 
tree, to see how admirably the flight serves to 
bring it perpendicularly up against the bole 
of the tree. In no other way could the bird 
possibly arrive in such a position with the 
same grace and precision. To fly directly up 
against the tree would be a clumsy proceeding 
and detrimental to head and wings ; but as it 
is the wings are folded out of the way before 


84 “ COASTING ” 


the bird reaches the tree, the impetus carrying 
it up to the spot. On gaining the tree the 
woodpecker remains for a moment immovable 
and rigid, when it has the appearance of a 
natural excrescence projecting from the tree. 

I have used the word “ coasting ”’ as applied 
to a certain description of flight. By “ coast- 
ing ’’ I mean straightforward flight on motion- 
less wings after momentum has been acquired. 
For example, partridges fly and “coast ” 
alternately ; a very graceful flight shared only 
by birds of the same order. Partridges, with- 
out moving their wings, sometimes “ coast ”’ 
for long distances ; flying in this fashion they 
will rise at and clear a hedge, to sink again on 
the opposite side. To effect this undulatory 
movement the bird has only to incline one 
degree above the mean level on approaching 
the hedge, and after clearing it, reverse the 
order. Proceeding in this way the covey skims 
over the field and alights on the further side ; 
but the mode of pitching is very different to 
that of perching birds. In the case of part- 
ridges, birds of some weight, the momentum 
up to the last moment is considerable, and 
must be summarily checked to allow of an 
easy descent. There is no discussion amongst 
these partridges as to where they shall settle ; 
for as already suggested, the birds are linked 


PARTRIDGES ALIGHTING ON GROUND 85 


by telepathy : for the time being their mind- 
units have merged in one mind. The covey, 
therefore, rises simultaneously, flies in a body 
and settles as one bird. (It is needless to go 
into exceptions, for which there are always 
incidental causes.) Each succeeding act is 
performed as it might be by a single bird. 
Naturally this is a mental attitude the inde- 
pendent self-conscious reasoning mind has 
difficulty in grasping, but it must be grasped 
before we can see nature as she really is. Thus 
we observe the partridges in the distance 
simultaneously “‘ throw up,” almost vertically, 
flutter with their wings and drop lightly on 
the ground. Whilst fluttering in this upright 
position the wings act as a powerful brake 
against the air. An observer following the line 
of flight in open country, after losing sight 
of the birds, will again ‘‘ spot ’’ them as they 
pitch ; because, for the space of a moment, 
all the birds present a full view of the upper 
surface of their persons—back, wings and tail. 


CHAPTER XII 


INSECT FLIGHT 


WHATEVER may be said of birds, it is certain 
that insects cannot look to their progenitors for 
instruction, seeing that the latter, for the most 
part, have long since crumbled into dust ere 
their offspring take wing. And yet insects 
exhibit wonderful powers of flight, equalling 
if not surpassing the flight of birds. Some 
of these insects on emerging, not only fly 
straight away, but within the space of a few 
hours carry out their chief mission in life, 
which is to deposit ova ; not at random, but in 
suitable places, so that when the time comes 
round again an identical batch of insects 
appears in the same spot, and so on from year 
to year. Subconscious intelligence, exact and 
punctual, leaves nothing to chance. 

Insect flight appears to be on the same 
principle as bird flight. The wings are moved 
in the same way, only, in most cases, much 
more rapidly ; but the construction of the 
wings is very different. The “arm ”’ in this 

86 


FORMATION OF INSECT’S WING 87 


case is not really an arm, but a process of 
chitinous nervures which forms a stiff margin 
(the costa); this gives great rigidity to the 
wing. These nervures spread out in a net- 
work of veins which taper gradually to the 
hinder margin, and being curved act under 
pressure in the same way as the quills of 
feathers, and are equally resilient. Thus, 
when the wing is waved or vibrated, the result 
is practically the same as in the former case: 
viz., that the air is ‘‘fanned’’ away in the 
rear of the wing, which engenders propulsion 
or lifting power according to the angle. 

The costal margin of an insect’s wing is 
rigid throughout, except in the order Coleop- 
tera and a few others where a joint shows on 
the costa; this has nothing to do with flight, 
but is merely an adaptation which permits of 
the wing being folded so that it may pass under 
cover of the elytron when not in use, the cover 
being too short to contain the wing in ex- 
tension. For the greater part, insects are 
furnished with a dual flying apparatus, a fact 
which seems to suggest that their ancestors 
belonged to a period long anterior to birds. 
The system would appear unnecessarily com- 
plicated, for though these double-winged 
insects exhibit high powers of flight, as in- 
stance the humming-bird moth (Macroglossa 


88 HIGHLY SPECIALIZED FORM OF FLIGHT 


stellatarum), yet they are rivalled by insects 
possessing only a single pair of wings. For 
instance, there is a dipterous fly (Bombylius) 
which, in its mode of feeding, poise and flight, 
exactly resembles stellatarum in miniature, 
and produces the same humming sound, but 
in a higher key. 

I am inclined to think that this flight of 
Bombylius (three British examples), which is 
identical with that of the humming-birds, 
some of the hawk-moths and the hover-flies, 
is a form of flight distinct and more highly 
specialized than is observed in any other 
classes, albeit there are some inferior imita- 
tions. The speciality of this flight lies in the 
fact, I believe, that the rate of wing vibration 
is constant, whether the insect, or bird, is 
stationary, as when poising over a flower, or 
travelling at excessive speed. 

A hover-fly, for instance, suspended in mid- 
air, remains absolutely stationary though its 
wings are vibrating with such velocity as to 
render them practically invisible. Suddenly 
the fly darts off so rapidly that the eye can 
scarce follow, when again it returns to the 
same spot. Like the flight of thought, a 
moment here and then away, regardless of 
time and space. But though the spirit that 
prompts these ethereal excursions is itself 





WING OF BIRD. 





BOMBYLIUS (DIPTEROUS FLY). 
[Facing page 88. 





THE HOVER-FLY 89 


ethereal, the wings and body of the creature 
are material, and therefore should be open to 
investigation. 

Thus, we will suppose that the wings of the 
hover-fly, like all other wings, move with a 
straight up-and-down action; but, in this 
case, they move at the rate of, say, 400 
vibrations per second (a low computation). 
Enormous energy is thus developed ; but the 
fly has such perfect control over it that, whilst 
careering at infinite speed, it can check itself 
instantly and remain stationary in mid-air 
with the engines, so to speak, still running at 
high pressure. 

When so stationed in mid-air, the insect’s 
body is on the mean level, therefore there is 
no lifting force. But in the ordinary course 
the insect in this position should be driven or 
“fanned ”’ along in a forward direction ; but 
it is not, it remains stationary ; because, I 
believe, the motive power has been neutralized 
by a slight alteration from the normal in the 
position of the wings. Thatis to say, the wing- 
points are directed slightly forwards, which 
causes the air to flow off laterally instead of in 
the rear of the body; forward tendency is 
thus counteracted, and consequently the 
insect hovers in a neutral position, moving 
neither backwards nor forwards. But the 


90 FLYING BACKWARDS 


moment the wings are inclined, ever so 
slightly, in a backward direction, motive power 
is engendered and, without wing acceleration, 
the fly darts off into space. 

One can understand that a very slight 
alteration in the set of the wings is sufficient 
to effect these movements. The hover-fly is 
capable, not only of poising, but can turn 
without moving from the spot, or advance 
slowly and cautiously; and again, what is 
more extraordinary, the fly is capable of 
moving backwards. This indeed is a feat 
possible only to creatures possessing “ high 
pressure ’ flight, which includes genuine 
humming-birds. 

I am unable to speak from personal observa- 
tion, but I imagine that a humming-bird is 
also capable of coming out backwards from 
a cramped position, say, a tubular flower- 
head (°?). The act of retrogression is never 
continued beyond the actual necessities of 
the case, but may be distinctly observed in 
respect to bombylius ; the hawk-moths (stel- 
latarum, fusiformis and bombyliformis) ; and 
almost certainly in the cases of the larger 
hawk-moths (celerio, elpenor, convolvuli, etc.); 
but as these fly at dusk it is difficult to 
take reliable observations. According to my 
theory, backward movement would obtain 


IN TUNE WITH ITS SURROUNDINGS or 


when the wings are set a degree in advance 
of neutral. 

The marvellous precision and fitness of these 
actions can only be attributed to Omniscience 
manifesting in the creature, which, indeed, is 
no meaningless expression ; for however faulty 
and inadequate my description, the fact re- 
mains, the hover-fly is in perfect tune with 
its surroundings which shows it to be no mere 
waif struggling with the elements, but as much 
a part of nature as the sun in the sky. 


CHAPTER Mii 


PRODUCTION OF SOUNDS BY CREATURES IN 
THE ANIMAL WORLD 


In pursuit of his study the naturalist relies 
equally on his sense of hearing as on that of 
sight, indeed more so, for the innumerable 
sounds of nature are borne in upon his ear 
from near and afar, and, whereas a man sees 
only in front of him, he is capable of hearing 
in all directions. Thus it is often a sound 
which first attracts his attention; either the 
direct utterance of some creature or sound 
produced by its movements. 

Training and cultivation of the auditory 
sense is of the utmost importance ; therefore, 
the true naturalist makes it his first endeavour 
to familiarize himself to all kinds of sound until 
the practice becomes an acute subconscious 
faculty ; he is then in a position to know a 
great deal of what is taking place around him, 
and of the kind of life that exists in his vicinity. 

Few creatures in the Animal World are 
absolutely mute, though it may be that we 

g2 


SOUNDS WHICH CONVEY MEANINGS 93 


are not able to hear all of them. Among air- 
breathing vertebrates I do not imagine there 
exists any one that cannot, on occasion, pro- 
duce some audible sound; still, there may be 
cases which have not come under notice. For 
instance, the writer has no record in respect 
to the jack-snipe (Scolopax gallinula). Though 
silent throughout the winter months, it is very 
unlikely that this birdisincapable of utterance. 

Though no actual language obtains in the 
Animal World, there are expressions which 
almost amount to it, sounds that convey 
different meanings and which are acted upon 
accordingly, albeit unconsciously. Thus, we 
clearly distinguish call-notes, notes of alarm, 
notes of pleasure, notes of distress, and again, 
notes of joy. These latter, in the case of birds, 
take the form of song, perhaps the most 
wonderful exoteric expression of spiritual 
beatitude in all nature. Furthermore, the 
songs of birds are spontaneous and diverse, 
according to species; a phrase neither bor- 
rowed nor acquired, but proceeding sponta- 
neously and subconsciously from the Infinite, 
which is Love, Beauty and Truth. 

The songs of birds—at any rate, some of 
them—are distinctly melodious, and appeal 
intensely to nature-lovers. This may arise 
from the purity of such music, which links us 


Q4 “SPLENDID OCCASION ” 


(humanity) directly with the Divine. For one 
ecstatic. moment we seem carried beyond 
the mundane plane of self-consciousness and 
launched in the realm of Reality. A like sen- 
sation is experienced when contemplating the 
marvellous beauty and perfection of flowers, 
which is the same though silent expression of 
spiritual ecstasy. This “ splendid occasion,”’ 
beyond words to express, will, nevertheless, 
be recognized by many who can recall similar 
experiences, and who know that it does not 
occur on every occasion when looking at a 
flower or on hearing a bird sing. No, it is only 
when the conditions are right, the “ intangible 
connections ’’ complete, that it occurs, and 
then instantaneously ; for this glance ‘“‘ behind 
the veil’’ is within (subconscious), and not 
subject to time and space. 

A very curious fact in nature, as it seems to 
me, is that her joy-notes are, by no means, all 
of them vocal; there is a great deal of what 
might be called “ instrumental ’’ music, especi- 
ally among insects. Insects have nothing 
corresponding to the human ear, yet it is 
certain they appreciate sound; moreover, 
sound vibrations which, as regards pitch, far 
exceed our sense perception. The antenne no 
doubt are the organs for intercepting sound, 
also scent and other frequencies of which we 


INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 95 


have no knowledge. The ‘“‘ humming” of 
wings, “ ticking’? and “‘rasping ’’ (Cicada) 
are all of the instrumental order; so also is 
that peculiar “squeaking ’”’ produced by the 
hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos): all these 
expressions are significant and have their uses 
in nature. 

Then, again, there are many birds, including 
foreign species, who “ play ’’ instrumentally. 
Woodpeckers of various kinds make use of a 
sounding board, a specially selected portion 
of a hollow tree which, on being struck by the 
bird with its bill, gives out sound like the 
“roll’’ on a drum that can be heard half a 
mile away on a still day, but though loud- 
sounding is extremely difficult to locate. A 
person unacquainted with this sound would 
never imagine it to proceed from a bird, and 
in the case of the lesser-barred woodpecker, a 
very small bird at that. How the “ beats,’ 
which cannot be less, and may be anything 
over 16 per second, can be tapped out with 
such amazing celerity, is a mystery. 

The “bleating ’’ of snipe (Scolopax galli- 
nago) is another most remarkable example of 
serenading, and as to how it is produced is still 
undetermined. 

The writer, who has availed himself when- 
ever the opportunity offered for taking obser- 
H 


96 THE ‘‘ BLEATING” SNIPE 


vations on this point, is convinced in his own 
mind that the ‘‘ drumming ’’ emanates from 
the wings of the bird, and not from the tail, as 
is often maintained. But as the snipe is 
usually high up in the air when this perform- 
ance occurs, it would be rash to make any 
definite assertion. However, when closely 
following the bird in its course with field- 
glasses, it will be noticed that, as the sound is 
heard, the snipe is seen to dip earthwards, 
almost in a falling position, with wings 
spread, though somewhat retracted ; at the 
same time the wings quiver, not from muscular 
action, for, at the moment, they are stationary 
and rigid, but from the force of air-pressure 
which is driven through the primary wing- 
feathers, the result being that the “ primaries,’ 
stiff and resilient as steel, fuiter and so cause 
the “ bleating ’’ sound we hear. 

Now, on the other hand, the tail feathers of 
a snipe are extremely weak, and therefore 
would hardly respond to such treatment. The 
point, however, will probably remain a matter 
of individual opinion, as it is unlikely we shall 
ever get nearer the “ bleating ’’ bird than has 
already been achieved. Nor is it of real import- 
ance; sufficient that we can hear the sound and 
know it to be produced instrumentally and not 
vocally. 


CORNCRAKE AND NIGHTJAR 97 


Though the cause of these subconscious 
manifestations is practically the same in all 
cases, the “‘ drumming ”’ of the snipe is exe- 
cuted in a fashion entirely different to the 
wing-drumming of some other species ; these, 
however, I shall have occasion to mention 
later on, when referring to gallinaceous fowl. 

Whilst on the subject, and as a personal 
note, I would appeal to naturalists to give close 
attention to two British species with a view 
to discover whether their love demonstrations 
are vocal or otherwise—viz., the Corncrake 
(Rallus pratensis), and the Nightjar (Capri- 
mulgus). It may not have occurred to anyone 
that there can be a question on the matter, 
but, personally, I am not satisfied that these 
expressions are vocalized, and though I have 
pushed investigations as far as possible, have 
had no satisfactory results. My nearest 
approach to success was in the case of the 
corncrake who, on the occasion, was “‘ rasping ”’ 
on the top of a bank. By crawling for a long 
distance up a wet ditch I succeeded in getting 
within a few feet of the bird, when it seemed to 
my fancy that however the sound was pro- 
duced, it was not vocalized. On raising my 
head to a level with the top of the bank the 
‘“rasping ’’ immediately ceased, and so, un- 
fortunately, the attempt failed. 


98 GROTESQUE ANTICS 

In the case of the nightjar the difficulties 
are still greater, for the would-be observer is 
more or less hampered by obscurity. 


In conjunction with vocal and instrumental 
sounds, some creatures perform very wonder- 
ful, not to say grotesque, antics, and “‘ dress 
up ’’ to enhance the effect. Contrary to the 
human fashion, itis invariably the males who 
wear the “fine feathers ’’ and “strut ’”’ and 
even “‘dance’’ in order to show themselves 
off to their less resplendent partners who, in 
the meantime, appear supremely indifferent 
and unconscious, which, from their unreason- 
ing point of view, they undoubtedly are. 

All such displays are rapturous, subconscious 
manifestations of nature at the zenith of her 
perfection—the love season when the Force- 
of-Life is exerted to the full and results in 
veproduction or the furtherance of the life- 
principle in yet another generation. 


CHAPTER XIV 
NATURAL PROTECTIONS 


In order to make clear my impressions in 
regard to the subconscious mind in the 
Animal World, I shall now give some details 
of natural history well known to sportsmen 
and naturalists, but which I consider eviden- 
tial in support of my theory. 

Wild life may be divided into two classes, 
viz., Exposers, creatures who frequent the 
open (land and water) ; and Concealers, those 
who make use of covert of all kinds. Each 
class has its particular schemes for pro- 
tection. Thus, Exposers depend on keenness 
of sight, locomotive powers, weapons of 
defence and warning colours. Concealers, in 
hiding themselves, mimic the surroundings. 
Some creatures, however, adopt the schemes 
of either class, according to season and cir- 
cumstance. Amongst these are Wild Duck 
(Mallard). 

For the greater part of the year these birds 

99 


100 MALLARD 


live mostly in the open, where both sexes are 
conspicuous; they then assume a wary atti- 
tude and are unapproachable. But as spring 
comes round the mated couple change their 
habits and locate themselves in the vicinity 
of covert. The duck, who alone is concerned 
with the nest, has already the plumage suited 
to her surroundings ; therefore, whilst she 
is occupied with domestic cares, the mallard 
retires under cover of reeds and _ rushes, 
and by the time the brood has attained the 
“ flapper” stage has so altered. his appear- 
ance as to be scarcely distinguishable from 
his mate. 

Curlew, golden-plover and other shore birds 
are very conspicuous when standing out on 
the sands, but amongst the heather and moss, 
where they breed, their plumage harmonizes 
perfectly with the surroundings. 

In these cases the birds, erstwhile Exposers, 
adopt an attitude of concealment. 

Ducks and other aquatic fowl frequenting 
open water make no attempt at concealment, 
but depend, in the first place, on their power 
of sight, and as they usually keep together in 
company, the advent of any suspicious object 
is at once detected. When this happens there 
is no panic, for the birds are subconsciously 
aware of their security. Acting ina deliberate 


SIMULTANEOUS COMPANY MOVEMENTS ror 


manner, they keep their distance by swimming 
or diving from the pursuer until unduly pressed, 
when, simultaneously, they take to flight and 
so outmanceuvre the enemy. 

The same applies to land animals and birds 
inhabiting bare tracts. At the approach of 
danger these stand motionless and erect. 
After maintaining this attitude for a moment 
or two, the whole body moves off (or rises) 
simultaneously. This spontaneous action is 
very remarkable, and obviously the outcome 
of a scheme for protection. 

Company movements of birds and animals 
may be compared to the practices of a well- 
drilled squad of soldiers, whose units combin- 
ing produce that uniformity of action essential 
to operations, offensive, defensive or protec- 
tive. In the case of a body of men, combined 
action would be impossible without the com- 
mand words of a leader; the actions that 
follow the words of command are due to his 
(the leader’s) individual mind. It is generally 
supposed that animals and birds are actuated 
in much the same way ; namely, the signals of 
aleader. But once admit this and there is no 
alternative but to believe that animals have 
reasoning minds, if not equal to, at least on 
the same plane as our own. The writer’s 
belief, already expressed, is that animals 


102 NO LEADERS 


(speaking generally) have no reasoning mind. 
If this is so, there can be no leaders in the true 
sense of the word. The only approach to such 
a condition in wild nature is the case of young 
who follow their parents, and a train of females 
headed by an old male. But this is merely a 
natural tendency of the weak to follow the 
stronger, and amounts to nothing beyond the 
simple act of following. 

I shall now bring evidence in support of this 
belief, viz., that in wild life there are no 
leaders in the true sense of the meaning. (The 
functions of a leader can only be understood 
in relation to an intelligent reasoning mind.) 
Indeed it would be difficult to imagine that 
the countless hordes of locusts and myriads 
of lepidoptera, seen on migration, are influ- 
enced by leaders. However, to go more 
particularly into the matter we shall consider 
the doings of the duck tribe, plovers and 
others. 

When on long flight these birds range them- 
selves up ina > shape figure, with the result 
that a single bird heads the party at the apex. 


1 «Some of the higher animals”’ (dogs, apes, horses, etc.), “who 
for a long period of time have been closely associated with man, 
have through his mental emanations acquired some faint reason- 
ing powers.” In such cases it is possible that the discarnate 
spirit of the animal does not return to the group-soul but remains — 
individualized. 


THE MIND-BLENDING ASPECT 103 
Therefore, in these cases, if there is a genuine 
leader amongst them, this undoubtedly is the 
one. 

Now in the event of this bird being suddenly 
cut off (shot), what happens? Simply that 
after the disturbance is over, the “ flight ’’ 
resumes its former configuration with another 
bird at the head and so continues in the 
original direction. If we believe that the 
former bird had all the qualifications of a 
leader—was, in fact, superior to the rest in 
intelligence and bird tactics—it must be ad- 
mitted that the next best has been put up by 
general consent and presumably prior arrange- 
ment. The only conclusion it is possible to 
arrive at from this argument is that the birds 
have reasoning minds of a high order, which 
brings us back to the old standpoint. But, on 
the other hand, let us regard the matter from 
the mind-blending aspect. In this case, the 
mind-units composing the “ flight” are all 
equal; what mentality they have is subcon- 
scious and telepathically connected. The 
result is automatic action of the “ flight.” 
The units act and move as one bird, because 
they are actuated by one mind. 


(According to my theory, mind-blending may 
be explained in this way: Take a globe of 


104 MIND-BLENDING, A SIMILE 
quicksilver which shall represent All-Mind (1). 
From it detach a globule which we will call 
a group-soul (2). From this globule again 
separate a small portion and break it up 
into fifty minute spheroids which shall stand 
for individual mind-units—of a flock of 
birds—(3). 

If two of these metallic globules (3), which 
are of the same constituent substance and have 
an affinity for one another, be approximated, 
they are seen to coalesce immediately ; or all 
of them, collectively, will merge in one globe 
(2), and that again into the original sphere (r). 
The fact of dividing the substance in no way 
alters its nature. 

And so in the case of the birds: When in- 
carnated the subconscious mind is separated 
into units. These units, set apart from por- 
tions of the One Mind, have the strongest 
affinity for one another, and when in proximity 
are drawn together, and so become telepathi- 
cally united; at the dissolution of the body 
they merge in the group-soul. 

This, indeed, is the basis of my theory of 
telepathy as a potential factor in the Animal 
World, and when all the evidence contained 
in these pages, bearing on it, has been con- 
sidered, I think it will be admitted that my 
proposition .is not unreasonable.) 


“ WEDGE ”’ FORMATION 105, 

Thus, when rising from the place of depar- 
ture the birds, irrespective of sex or age, fall 
automatically into the ‘‘ wedge ” shape which 
is the natural scheme for minimizing air or 
water pressure, a system manifest throughout 
nature. It is plainly indicated in the head and 
shoulders of a fish. When constructing a ship 
man adopts the same principle as obviously 
the only means for reducing pressure of the 
elements—air and water. 

The travelling birds and sailing-ship are, 
indeed, somewhat alike in this respect, for 
both have “‘ figureheads,” but in neither case 
is the head responsible for the guidance and 
governing of the body. 

The goose has never been famous for its 
intelligence, but, collectively, as a “ gagele,”’ 
geese have sense enough to fly in the “ wedge ”’ 
formation ; they invariably do so, and at the 
same time keep up a continuous gabbling 
(“ honking’) (A. albifrons). This is not the 
call of a leader, for they all do it, and the 
sound is like a pack of hounds in full cry. 
This habit, which I believe is purely auto- 
matic and unconscious, serves to keep them 
together—within the zone of telepathy. The 
same may be said of the aforementioned 
“opack:”’ 

Geese and ducks are very conservative in 


106 GOLDEN-PLOVER 


their mode of flight, and for this reason can 
be identified when still a long way off. But 
for perfect conformity of action in the execu- | 
tion of aerial evolutions, plover bear the palm. 
Golden-plover, when seen at a distance over 
their feeding grounds, appear as a misty cloud 
against the sky, sometimes darker, sometimes 
lighter; the change of shade is effected in- 
stantly. As the mass wheels and turns about, 
the light underside of the wings is flashed up 
and so contrasts with the darker plumage. 
This effect, which would not be noticeable 
unless the compact body turned as one bird, 
may be traced after the “ stand ’’ is practically 
out of sight. Now watch the plover at a closer 
range and note how each bird keeps its place 
whilst the massed body is twisting and turning 
into all kinds of shapes. Now they are seen 
to rise in the air to a great height; fly ona 
level plane; plunge suddenly earthward ; 
skim along over the surface of the ground, 
rise again and finally go off in the V 
formation. 

Although these manceuvres are executed at 
incredible speed, there are no collisions, no 
bungling as must surely occur if each out of, 
say, 200 birds was acting on his own and 
endeavouring to fly even conformably with a 
leader. It is an amazing sight, calculated to 


SANDLINGS 107 


leave an impression that, in nature, nothing 
is impossible. 

In the bird kingdom, as elsewhere, we note 
that some species are better bred, so to speak, 
than others; their habits are more refined. 
These are clean feeders, whose costumes are 
compact and well fitting; the very texture 
thereof is of superior quality. These, indeed, 
belong to bird aristocracy. Of this class are 
plovers and their congeners, whose nervous 
system, no doubt, is correspondingly taut and 
responds readily to subconscious impulses. 

Some of the smaller shore birds, such as 
stints, dunlin, sandlings and ringed-plover, 
are models of elegance, so spick-and-span is 
their plumage. The flight of these birds is 
comparable to that of the plovers last men- 
tioned. When alighting on the shingle the 
birds mingle with the stones, so that it is 
difficult to distinguish them from the sur- 
roundings. Thus, with heads all turned in the 
same direction, they stand rigid; on the 
slightest alarm they rise instantly and are off 
again. But when all is quiet the birds are seen 
to disperse, running hither and thither over 
sand and stones in search of food and, in this 
way, become separated to some extent. It 
is then, I take it, that the bonds of telepathy 
are relaxed, when each bird acts for himself, 


108 THE FLIGHT OF ROOKS 


When it is time to move on to fresh ground, or 
an intruder is sighted, one or more of the birds 
rise ; the rest immediately take wing, when the 
lot converge and sweep off together as before. 
But the movement is not in response to a 
leader. 

Though I believe telepathy is general 
throughout the Animal World, mind-blending, 
in regard to flight, does not include all gre- 
garious birds, for it is not, in all cases, neces- 
sary as a protection. 

For instance, rooks, who go about in large 
flocks, have no system of flight. Keeping one 
another in sight they fly in a careless, slovenly 
manner ; the most casual observer cannot fail 
to notice the difference between the rhythmical 
evolutions of plover and the clumsy flight of a 
flock of rooks. Rooks are essentially ‘ Ex- 
posers,’ they make no attempt at conceal- 
ment; on the contrary, with much clamour 
and a conspicuous appearance, they freely 
advertise themselves to the country round for 
what they are worth, which, as prey, is 
practically nothing; for with tough coarse 
flesh surmounted by a covering of strongly 
adhering feathers, rooks are little sought by 
man or predaceous birds. In fact, their 
worthlessness is their safety. But a sub- 
order (Corvide), viz., starlings, are remarkable 


STARLINGS 109 


for their orderly, mind-blending flight. No 
matter how large the company—it is often 
beyond calculation—the flight is executed in 
perfect order ; but, again, there is nothing to 
indicate the presence of a leader. 


CHAPTER XV 
CONCEALERS 


Now we shall take a glance at “ Concealers,” 
such as game birds, whose habits are best 
generally known. Grouse, partridges, quail, 
etc., dwell together in family parties and, as 
might be expected, are in close telepathic 
sympathy. The parents in these cases natur- 
ally act as guides to the young brood (say, 
partridges) until the former’s career is cut 
short by the sportsman. The old birds are 
generally the first to fall; incidentally, be- 
cause being larger they attract the eye of the 
gunner, and, purposely, they are often shot 
in order to keep the covey from becoming 
wild. Thus, by the end of September, the 
brood is often without parents to look aiter 
them. When this is the case the young 
birds, having no reasoning mind, cannot and 
do not appoint a leader, but act together 
automatically. 

In imagination, let us watch the sportsman 
as he enters a field of clover in pursuit of such 


119 


A COVEY OF PARTRIDGES III 


a covey. On becoming aware of the enemy 
the birds’ first impulse is to conceal them- 
selves. Under the circumstances (high clover) 
this ruse is simple enough, and would prob- 
ably succeed were it not for the man’s clever 
assistants, viz., his dogs, who indicate the posi- 
tion of the covey. Whereupon, an advance 
is made in their direction. Concealment now 
no longer availing, the alternative is flight. 
The birds rise simultaneously. One or more 
fall, but the rest carry on together, and are 
presently marked down and followed up by 
the sportsman, when, again, the same perform- 
ance is repeated ; though hidden from one 
another, they spring simultaneously into the 
air. It does sometimes occur that one or, 
perhaps, two birds remain to rise a few seconds 
after the others have fled and get safely away, 
for it is at this moment the sportsman is 
engaged in reloading his gun. However, if 
the observer has carefully noted the relative 
positions of the birds, he will find that the 
laggards were squatting a certain distance 
away trom the main body ; they were, in fact, 
outside the zone of telepathy. 

But to follow the remnant of the covey : 
By this time—after the second rise—the birds 
are fairly scared and scatter to some extent, 


so that when the sportsman comes up with 
I 


112 GAME-BIRDS “ PACKING ” 


them again they are seen to rise separately, in 
ones and twos, for now the birds are no longer 
linked by telepathy; each, therefore, must 
shift for himself, a shift which is not to the 
advantage of the partridges, for it enables the 
sportsman to take toll, possibly, of the whole 
covey. 

No group, perhaps, is more closely associ- 
ated than a covey of partridges. If not inter- 
fered with the parents and their brood live 
together till the pairing season comes round. 
They feed in company, rest during the day 
together, and at night “jug ”’ in the grass or 
in some declivity on a bare field. 

Partridges and grouse are so constantly 
harried and driven about that coveys get 
mixed up, when they are said to “ pack.”’ 
Through man’s interference this habit has 
probably been acquired; but, in any case, 
once coveys have joined forces, the birds are 
telepathically united. 

The common belief is that a pack of grouse 
(or partridges) is under the leadership of a 
single bird—an old cock, who keeps watch 
and ‘‘ crows ’’ his orders ; but this, I think, is 
going beyond the facts. Amongst a pack 
there will be several old cocks, any one of 
which, on the approach of danger, will give 
the alarm; though not the signal of any 


COLORATION AND MIMICRY 113 


particular leader, it is a warning to the rest 
to run together preparatory to taking flight. 

Game-birds are naturally well protected, 
for besides the telepathic faculty which holds 
them together, the attitude of concealment is 
enormously helped out by colour resemblance, 
a natural scheme known as “ protective color- 
ation and mimicry of surroundings.” 

In the insect world this scheme is elaborated 
and perfected to an incredible degree; not 
only are spots, blotches and shades of colour 
truthfully matched, but the creatures mimic 
the actual forms and shapes of the surrounding 
inanimate objects. 

~ Concealers’? are subconsciously aware 
that, to keep up the deception, a rigid posture 
must be maintained. Inthe case of partridges, 
if the observer’s eye is keen enough to detect 
them on the ground, he will see that the birds 
lie inert, seemingly as lifeless as the stones and 
clods which surround them, nevertheless they 
are in telepathic touch with one another, so 
that the moment flight becomes necessary 
they spring together as one bird. 

The same mind-blending scheme is manifest 
in some gregarious animals. For example, a 
flock of sheep, when alarmed, immediately 
herd together ; they do not (in my opinion) 
rally round a leader, but mass together in order 


IT4 SHEEP 


to unite mentally, afterwards manoeuvring 
as urged by subconscious mind. 

Sheep inhabit bare and open tracts, and are 
therefore ‘“‘ Exposers.’’ Their powers of loco- 
motion are below the average of animals 
found in exposed places; also the sheep’s 
fleece is an encumbrance which tends to reduce 
speed. However,.I believe this woolly covering 
which envelops the body is a natural protec- 
tion against the attacks of beasts of prey 
rather than for the actual warmth it may 
afford the animal, and which takes the place 
of spines and other kinds of defensive armour 
as observed in some species: thus, when the 
pursuer, in the shape of a wolf or other, 
overhauls the quarry, his teeth meet, not in 
the flesh of the animal, but in the wool, which 
comes away entangled in his mouth and for 
the moment blinds him, thus affording the 
pursued a chance of escape. But the sheep’s 
chief protection lies in this habit of massing 
together when danger threatens. There is 
‘safety in numbers.” 

Now observe the sheep after they have 
crowded up: their heads are all turned in 
the direction of the supposed danger. Fora 
moment they stand motionless; then, with 
one impulse, the whole troop stampedes. 
Suddenly, they are seen to slew round and 


HORSES AND PANIC IN HUMAN CROWD 115 


halt, partially facing the direction whence 
they came. Again they start off at a tangent; 
but this time a small ditch or bank obstructs 
their passage, whereat the foremost animals 
jump; at the same time the rest are seen to 
“ buck” off the ground, though the obstacle 
has not been reached or even seen by those in 
the rear. “‘ The fact has been telepathed? ”’ 
Yes, but not by a leader, for were the sheep 
to face about and charge in an opposite 
direction, as often happens, so that the rear- 
most are now to the front, the same perform- 
ance is repeated. Once massed, the units 
composing the troop are no longer independ- 
ent members, but the whole is governed by 
one mind and one eye: not the eye of a 
leader, but the eyes which first perceive the 
danger or obstacle of which notice must be 
taken. 

Though this faculty is a scheme for protec- 
tion, it is sometimes, in the case of sheep, the 
cause of their complete destruction. For if 
during a stampede one or more chance to 
overstep the brink of a quarry-pit, the rest 
inevitably follow. 

The cause of stampede of horses and panic 
in a human crowd is, I believe, due to the 
blending and prompt action of the subcon- 
scious mind. Man, like the animals, is affected 


TIO PS YOR OLOGY 2OP COROW Is % 


because his subconscious mind responds to 
the emergency before his reasoning faculty has 
time to assert itself, before he has time to 
think. When the latter is reinstated the panic- 
condition subsides; but animals, having no 
reasoning mind to correct the initial impulse, 
run amok until exhausted. 

If, amongst the crowd of human beings, 
there is one who has not been seized by the 
general panic, it is that he has himself well 
under control. As the saying goes, the man 
“kept his head,’’ which means that his will- 
power was strong enough to restrain his ego 
from merging or blending with the panic- 
stricken. 

The “‘ psychology of crowds ”’ is a different 
thing from the aggregate psychology of all the 
individuals of which they are composed. 


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CHAPTER XVI 
QUICK RESPONSE OF SUBCONSCIOUS MIND 


A REMARKABLE fact in regard to the sub- 
conscious mind is the rapidity with which it 
responds to the exigencies of the moment. 
This is particularly noticeable in the Animal 
World. The same thing is observed in human- 
ity. For instance, when an unexpected loud 
noise occurs a person blinks his eyes, the eyes 
shut down instantly, seemingly of their own 
accord ; the act is over before the individual 
has time to think of this precaution. Sub- 
conscious mind, however, realizes the neces- 
sity and acts with the utmost promptitude. 
We call the action “automatic”’ simply 
because it has not been reasoned out and 
ordered by the physical mind. But what slow 
working mental process is this compared with 
a mind capable of instantly responding when 
called upon and, moreover, doing the right 
thing to meet the occasion. There is an 
essential difference in these mental powers : 
the difference between the reality and the echo. 
1i7 


118 CHARACTERISTIC MOVEMENTS 

Now to consider subconscious mentation in 
relation to purely natural wild life. A fact 
which strikes the close observer is that the 
body movements of the creatures are charac- 
teristically peculiar to themselves ; compared 
with the human species their actions might be 
described as “‘automatic.’’ The reason for 
this is that the animals are not self-conscious 
-——they have no reasoning faculty ; instead, 
their actions result from a series of subcon- 
scious impulses set in motion by the physical 
senses (sight, hearing and “‘scenting’’ per- 
ceptions) ; the consequence is, quick and de- 
cisive motions, 1n some cases almost amount- 
ing to “ jerkiness,”’ only that the expression 
suggests lack of grace which, in fact, is not 
wanting. 

There are, of course, slow-moving creatures 
who, from our point of view, appear ungrace- 
ful and even clumsy; but this seeming im- 
perfection 1s only apparent, for the creatures 
themselves are well adapted to, and in com- 
plete correspondence with, their own proper 
surroundings, otherwise they would not be 
there. 

The particularity of action to which I refer 
is perhaps more apparent in birds than others, 
though all act, more or less, in the same way. 
For instance, let us watch the behaviour of a 


THE THRUSH 11g 
thrush (a bird of high-class type) feeding on 
a lawn. Though its movements are in every 
way graceful, it advances by “ fits and starts.” 
Moving swiftly over the grass surface, it stops 
suddenly but without loss of equilibrium. 
With head turned slightly on one side, and 
with a pair of unblinking eyes, the bird presents 
a charming appearance of unconscious grace. 
In this posture it remains for a moment abso- 
lutely motionless ; but though so still, the 
creature is instinct with life and intent on 
business. Again, we see it glide (so quick in 
the hopping action) over the lawn for a few 
feet in another direction, halt abruptly as 
before, and pause in the same rigid attitude. 
Then, quicker than thought, it has hold of a 
worm ; a few dexterous tugs and the worm is 
drawn from its hole and lies wriggling on the 
grass, whilst the thrush eyes it with motionless 
complacency, knowing, subconsciously, that 
once out of the ground it cannot escape. In 
another moment the worm has been gulped 
down, or, in the case of a nursery, doubled up 
and retained between the mandibles in con- 
venient form. After a supply has thus been 
collected the thrush, without a moment’s 
warning, rapidly wings its way over the lawn 
and is soon lost to sight amongst the bushes. 

Such is the behaviour of every thrush on 


120 NO DISEASE IN PURE NATURE 


every lawn in the kingdom. All these birds 
are modelled exactly on the same pattern, and 
each is equally fit and in sympathy with its 
surroundings. 

In pure nature, freaks and deformities do 
not survive, nor do I believe there is any real 
disease. Epidemics and disease are directly 
or indirectly the result of man’s interference 
(overcrowding, usually), which upsets the 
balance, when nature is compelled to step in 
with drastic measures in order to readjust it. 
Hereditary disease and imperfections are not 
possible in pure nature ; if a creature is in 
any way defective (unfit) it perishes, because 
no longer in tune with its surroundings, 
therefore the evil is not perpetuated. 

These alternate periods of activity and im- 
mobility observed in wild creatures result, I 
believe, from the very fact that they have no 
thinking faculty; indeed, they are proof of it. 
During the passive state the creature is, of 
course, thinking of nothing, it is not even 
aware of its own existence ; at the same time, 
what sense organs it possesses are, as it were, 
set at “ high tension,” ready for immediate 
reception of external impressions, which, as 
they occur, are promptly acted upon, when the 
creature becomes as energetic as before it was 
immobile. 


BIRDS’ FACULTY OF SIGHT 121 

Birds are entirely dependent on their senses 
of sight and hearing; these faculties, therefore, 
are highly developed and, in many cases, 
specialized, as may be seen in the owl-tribe. 
The eyes of birds who feed and fly at night 
(Scolopacide, plovers, nightjars, etc.) are 
specially adapted, as also birds who obtain 
their food under water (cormorants, divers, 
grebes and others). On inspection the eyes of 
these water-birds are seen to be curiously 
modified to suit the density of the element in 
which they function. 

The faculty of sight is all-important to birds, 
and it is this class (Aves) alone whichis exempt 
from blindness in any degree. Truly, it may 
be said, the eyes of the bird are the windows 
of its soul. This, I believe, is practically the 
case, namely, that the bird’s vision includes 
an all-round view, a fact that renders any 
attempt to ‘“‘ put salt on its tail” a futile 
undertaking. But, I question whether from 
the bird’s point of view there is an angle of 
parallax—which is to say, that a bird is 
incapable of visualizing an object with both 
eyes at the same time. Obviously, this would 
be unnecessary to a creature that only requires 
to see, not to concentrate. 

That birds such as woodcock, snipe et hoc 
genus, can see all round without turning the 


122 NATURAL EQUILIBRIUM 
head, is morally certain. The eye-sockets in 
these species, as is well known, are placed high 
up and far back in the skull; the eye itself, too, 
is very large and prominent. This modifica- 
tion is admirably adapted to the bird’s mode 
of life. It serves two purposes: not only can 
the bird see in all directions, but the eyes so 
placed are preserved from the mud and water 
when it is in the act of “ prodding’”’ the 
ground. 

The contemplation of nature’s adaptations, 
so periectly adjusted, gives one to pause... . 

I have already made allusion to “ natural 
equilibrists.’’ Itis a point deserving of special 
attention. The fact that creatures always 
maintain perfect poise and equilibrium shows 
them to be moving parts of a faultlessly work- 
ing system. When, for certain reasons (over- 
development in some particular), details of 
this great machine (nature) begin to lose their 
proper balance and become unworkable, they 
gradually drop off and disappear: such has 
occurred in the past. But those perfectly 
balanced remain, and function evenly and 
truly in accordance with the “ mainspring.”’ 
This is pure nature. But an offshoot, as it 
were, has sprung from nature which, in the 
course of time, has evolved self-consciousness 





209). 


HEAD OF PHEASANT (p. 





HEAD OF WOODCOCK. 


| Facing page 122. 


Sicha 
agin 





THE ROBIN: AN ILLUSTRATION 123 


and, to a great extent, self-dependence ; but 
child-like and self-willed, it has not the know- 
ledge of the parent, and therefore is constantly 
falling and failing, for want of equilibrium, 
humanum est errare. This is not pure nature, 
but Auman nature. 

Now to consider this matter of equilibrium 
from a practical point of view. I can think of 
no better illustration than that afforded by the 
commonest bird of our country lawns—the 
robin. Here we have a confiding little bird 
whose proceedings can be watched at a close 
range in the open. Let us suppose the lawn 
set with croquet hoops and posts, though a 
single hoop and one post is sufficient, in fact, 
better for our purpose. To ensure steady sight 
the observer will take up his position in a chair 
placed sideways, in a line with the hoop and 
at a convenient distance. He will then keep 
an eye on the robin, who, in the meantime, is 
busy hunting for worms in the grass, and who, 
from time to time, is seen to fly to the hoop, 
or settle on the post, in order to take observa- 
tions on his own account. Now this is a very 
ordinary sight which anyone in the least 
interested in birds has witnessed a thousand 
times, but it may not be everyone who has 
thought to concentrate his attention at the 
moment the bird alights on the hoop. H he 


124 THE ROBIN 


will do so, and at the same time keep his eye 
fixed on some mark in the background, he will 
note that the robin comes up, time after time, 
to exactly the same spot without overbalanc- 
ing or exerting the slightest effort to steady 
itself, notwithstanding that it has come at 
the hoop with considerable momentum. The 
appearance is as though the “shade ”’ of the 
bird had been cast on the hoop. In this 
position the robin remains motionless until, 
due to extraordinary power of sight, it has 
detected the head of a worm in the grass, when 
it flies off, settles on the ground, and approaches 
the worm in the same fashion as the thrush, 
before mentioned. 

When alighting on the post the bird has not 
the same grip, but the poise is equally true. 
It will also be noted that the young birds, 
before they have acquired the red_breast- 
feathers, are quite as efficient. 

There are some birds, such as blackbirds, 
woodpigeons, magpies, etc., when coming to 
the perch, throw up their tails as if for the 
purpose of steadying themselves after having 
slightly overshot the mark. This action is 
deceptive, for it has nothing to do with equili- 
brium, but is an impulsive “ display,”’ and 
occurs slowly and deliberately after the bird 
has come to rest. This ‘‘ show-off” is often 


NATURAL BALANCE 125 
repeated several times before flight is resumed, 
and is observed more commonly during the 
breeding season. 

The consideration of balance, as observed 
in the Animal World, is an important item in 
our study; for though this instance of the 
robin may seem trivial, the case, neverthe- 
less, is typical of nature—+z.e., ‘‘ Nature in 
her purity ’’—perfect adjustment, perfect 
equilibrium. 


CHAPTER XVil 
ANIMAL INSTINCT DISCREDITED 


In these days it is the fashion to discredit 
animal instinct. With regard to “ homing ” 
pigeons, another correspondent to the Daily 
Mail, writes : 


“They travel by sight and memory, and 
not by instinct. The fastest bird in the race 
covered 500 miles at the rate of 44 miles an 
hour. Whilst over land birds learn to mark 
the valleys and hills. Learning to fly over 
the Channelis a more difficult matter; there 
is nothing to guide the birds, and hundreds 
are lost through not having pluck to make 
the crossing.”’ 


If this be so, and birds have no instinctive 
sense of direction, how is it that any single 
one succeeds in making the passage? Yet 
hundreds do so, including so-called untrained 
birds. 

Pigeon-racing being a national sport attracts 
a good deal of attention, and in this way the 


126 


THE “HOMING” INSTINCT 127 


public becomes acquainted with the fact that 
pigeons are capable of finding their way over 
hundreds of miles of land and sea, but whether 
by instinct or training it has no time to inquire. 
But when seriously studying these problems 
we must search through Nature’s book. Here 
we find that the ‘“‘ homing ”’ instinct, or sense 
of direction, is not confined to dogs, cats and 
a few others, but is manifested in a greater or 
less degree throughout the animal world, and 
is traceableinman. Wespeak of some persons 
having the ‘‘ bump of locality,’’ whilst others 
are not so “gifted.” Like those “ fitful 
recurrences ”’ before mentioned, the power is 
subconscious, and the nearer we approach 
man’s primitive state the more highly 
developed is it seen to be. 

The savage has no difficulty in finding his 
way about in dense forests where civilized 
man, without mechanical aid, would certainly 
lose himself. Whereas the former is led by 
infallible subconscious mind, the latter must 
rely on his reasoning powers, which are liable 
to miscalculation; thus the man makes a 
mistake, loses his bearings, and having no 
sense of direction is helplessly at a loss. 

In the face of overwhelming evidence to the 
contrary, it is difficult to understand how 
anyone can suppose that animals have no 
K 


128 THE CASE OF A CALF 


instinctive sense of direction. Scarcely a day 
passes but we hear of some instance where a 
dog, cat or other animal, has found its way 
home after deportation under circumstances 
where it was impossible for the creature to 
have obtained a view of the passing country. 

A case in point has recently come to my 
notice which is of unusual interest, and as the 
incident chanced to occur in a locality well 
known to me for many years, I am able to give 
an accurate topographical description. 

The man from whom I have the particulars 
is a small tenant farmer in Carmarthenshire, 
who is in the habit of rearing a few calves, 
which he sends away by train to the markets. 

On a recent occasion, Mr. Jones (they are 
mostly Jones in these parts) having tied up a 
six-weeks’-old calf in a sack, its head protrud- 
ing from the mouth thereof, put the animal at 
the bottom of his cart and proceeded to drive 
to the station. Mr. Jones’s farmhouse, be it 
understood, stands on the left bank overlook- 
ing the river. Leading from the farm there 
is a narrow lane which debouches on the 
high road. On emerging from this lane the 
farmer would keep to his left and drive up the 
valley for a mile, where the river again ap- 
proaches the road. At this point a by-road 
strikes off to the left, and passing over a stone 


THE CASE OF A CALF 129 


bridge winds up to the station. Thus by the 
road to the station is about two miles, and 
from the station to the farm, “as the crow flies,”’ 
say, a mile and a half. The intervening 
country consists of small fields enclosed by 
high banks with top-growth. There is also a 
large covert occupying most of the ground on 
the Cardiganshire side of the river which 
stretches up hill to the station. In fact, this 
wood is a game preserve having no thorough- 
fare, a rough bit of country cut off by the 
railway embankment at the top and hemmed 
in by the river below. 

Now, on the occasion referred to, the farmer 
reached the station in the afternoon of the day, 
and after having consigned his goods left the 
sack containing the calf on the platform to 
await the train, and returned home, thinking 
no more of the matter. 

Early next morning Mr. Jones’s attention 
was attracted by bovine lamentations pro- 
ceeding, apparently, from one of his meadows 
on the riverside, a field away up stream from 
the farm. Walking up the bank of the river 
to investigate the cause of the disturbance, 
he reached a “ bushed’”’ gate which divides 
these fields (upper and lower). Owing to a 
bend in the river the fields converge, leaving 
a narrow passage which is filled in by the gate. 


130 CALF’S SENSE OF DIRECTION 


Unless the gate is open nothing can pass at 
this place. Here then, on the wrong side of 
the gate, Mr. Jones, to his utter amazement, 
beheld the calf which on the previous day he 
had left tied up in a sack at the station. 

That the animal had somehow struggled out 
of the sack and got clear of the place was quite 
possible, for until the train was due there 
would be no one on the platform ; but how so 
young a creature could have found its way 
over the ground described and crossed the 
river, as it must have done, is hard to imagine 
and will never be known. The fact of its being 
found in the field by the river proved that it 
could not have come there except in a direct 
line. Had the animal kept to the road, which 
lies half a mile or more back from the river, it 
could by no possibility have crossed the inter- 
vening land, which includes private grounds 
and gardens, besides some impracticable 
banks and hedges. Therefore there can be 
no doubt whatever that the animal, acting 
under nature’s guidance, proceeded in a direct 
line. 

To believe this calf mentally capable of 
recording landmarks from the bottom of the 
cart, or, for that matter, in any other position, 
is of course absurd. Were this incident the 
only evidence it is sufficient to prove that 


TRAINING PIGEONS 131 


creatures of the animal world possess an 
unerring sense of direction. 

Had the converse occurred, viz., that the 
cow had so discovered her offspring, the occur- 
rence, though remarkable enough considering 
the nature of the ground traversed, would have 
been less surprising. 


The notion of a pigeon scrutinizing en 
passant the “hills and valleys’”’ for future 
reference is indeed attributing to the bird 
faculties of a truly human order. At the same 
time, if we allow that pigeons have an innate 
sense of direction, the question naturally 
arises, why train them? Is training neces- 
sary? In the writer’s opinion, training is 
necessary, for this reason: The birds, being 
captives and domesticated to serve man’s 
purposes, are not living under purely natural 
conditions and therefore are not free to mani- 
fest their powers at their own (nature’s) times 
and seasons. Instead, they are thrown up to 
find their way at any odd time and in any state 
of weather. The system from nature’s aspect 
is irregular ; in fact, it is another instance of 
the amateur meddling with machinery he does 
not appreciate and results in the upsetting of 
the equilibrium. Training, so far as may be, 
corrects this ; not by inculcating or improving 


132. EFFECT OF FOG ON PIGEONS 


a faculty already perfect, but by engendering 
habit—the habit of returning home immedi- 
ately on being liberated, essential to racing 
purposes. | 

When a pigeon is liberated away from home 
there is no reason why it should return then 
and there. Though it generally does so, there 
is always the possibility that the bird may be 
attracted by likely looking feeding-grounds, 
such as cornfields, over which it is passing. 
Having alighted, possibly it meets with others 
of its kind, and so loses the inclination to 
return, and perhaps never returns at all. But 
that is not to say the pigeon has failed because 
unable to find its way. Training tends to 
reduce the chances of loitering. 

Those who argue in favour of ‘‘ observation 
and memory ” maintain that, had pigeons a 
sense of direction, fog would not hinder them. 
No doubt fog has some effect on the birds : 
they are said to refuse to start in it, which 
perhaps is not surprising. 

Fog has always a depressing influence, 
mentally as well as physically. It is possible, 
therefore, that subconscious perceptions are 
dulled by certain atmospheric conditions 
which may be sufficient to deter pigeons from 
setting out in foggy weather. It is certain, 
however, that having once made a start, birds 


TELZSTHESIA 133 


are not utterly baffled when overtaken by fog. 
I myself have seen “‘ flights ’’ on migration 
steadily pursuing a direct course through 
dense fog. Flying low, detached parties would 
come along at intervals and continue in the 
same direction as those preceding them. 

The subconscious faculty known as “ teles- 
thesia ’’—perception at a distance, or power of 
vision passing the limits of time and space—s, I 
believe, the explanation of what we under- 
stand by the “‘ homing ”’ instinct or sense of 
direction. Of this I shall have more to say 
later on. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


FROGS AND TOADS 


WHETHER or not pigeons are capable of taking 
observations during flight, it must be admitted 
they have every opportunity for so doing. But 
to turn another page in Nature’s book, we 
note the manifestations of a creature who has 
practically no outlook on the surroundings, yet 
makes its point, notwithstanding. 

In early spring frogs and toads (the latter 
shun water except at the breeding season) 
make their way in a direct line across country 
to some pond or pool of water. When the 
country is enclosed these creatures are ham- 
pered by innumerable obstacles in the form 
of hedges, banks and thick undergrowth, yet 
nothing daunts them. From their low posi- 
tion in the grass the frogs can see next to 
nothing around them. 

Some of these travellers have long distances 
to cover, and being slow movers take days to 
accomplish the journey. But with the ex- 
ception of those (a large number) who succumb 

134 


FROGS 135 


to the attacks of predatory enemies, not a 
living frog or toad but finds its way to the 
water side. Where water is frequent there may 
be nothing remarkable in this, but if proof of 
the frog’s subconscious power is desired, it 
may be had by anyone interested and with 
time to spare. He has only to keep watch at the 
proper season on a piece of water completely 
isolated, but known for a breeding place. If 
dry in the summer so much the better, for then 
it will not harbour possible frogs who might 
remain in or aroundit. Thus, at the appointed 
time (oftener at night), the batrachians will be 
seen converging from all directions. Now the 
frog’s previous acquaintance (if any) with this 
pond cannot have been less than a year old, 
when it may have emerged from the same 
pond after completing the tadpole period. 
Following nature’s usual scheme in this 
regard, it is possible that frogs return to the 
waters in which they were spawned; fish 
(Salmonidz) are known to do so. 

We note in this case that after developing 
legs the tadpoles (now frogs) are subconsciously 
urged to quit the water: they are seen hopping 
away from it in thousands when no larger than 
peas, and again, by the same power, are drawn 
back to it after a certain lapse of time. The 
action is as regular as the clock’s pendulum, 


136 THE FRESH-WATER EEL 


which swings equally from either extremity. 
Truly nature’s machinery is no less accurate. 
The following is a still more remarkable 
instance of a creature whose innate sense of 
direction leads it to isolated water-holes of 
whose whereabouts it can by no possibility 
have conscious knowledge. This is the fresh- 
water eel, of whose life-history and mode of 
propagation nothing was known until quite 
lately. It was known, however, that eels 
inhabited rivers and ponds, and in these situa- 
tions it was supposed they bred ; but no trace 
of the ova was discovered either in the water 
or in the fish itself, a circumstance which 
apparently gave rise to a quaint superstition, 
viz., that eels were produced from horsehairs ! 
Incredible as it may sound, such was the 
common belief even among educated people. 
The notion no doubt originated from the 
fact of the existence, in ditches and ponds, of 
a kind of water-worm (Gordius aquaticus) 
which has nothing to do with eels, but cer- 
tainly has the appearance of an animated 
horsehair. However, it has now been ascer- 
tained that though eels live, it may be for 
years, in fresh water, they are really native 
of the sea. In order to propagate their species 
a certain proportion of eels go down yearly to 
the sea to spawn. In the spring, the young, 


EEL TAKES TO THE LAND 137 


known as ‘‘elvers,” find their way into the 
estuaries, and in countless thousands push up 
stream, some of them reaching the very source 
of the river. So strong is the subconscious 
energy in these thread-like creatures that 
nothing stops their upward progress; mill- 
dams, weirs, waterfalls, all are surmounted ; 
where the elvers cannot swim they wriggle 
up over rocks and banks until gaining the 
water above. In fact, wherever suitable water 
exists, eels will find it, even though it be an 
isolated pond having no outlet. 

The fact of eels being found in lone ponds 
in former times surprised no one, for it was 
presumed they bred in these pools ; but now 
we know that to get into such places the eel 
can only come from theriver. Asmall trickle or 
damp ditch is sufficient water-way, but if this 
is wanting the eel takes to the land, and with 
serpentine movement wriggles its way across 
meadows, travelling mostly in the evening or 
at night when the grass is damp with dew. 
Now that there are many more observers of 
natural history than formerly, these cross- 
country excursions on the part of the eel have 
frequently come under notice. 

Literally this is a case of “a fish out of 
water’’; nevertheless, the eel makes its point 
as surely as the frogs. 


138 THE (REL cA SEA | FISH 

The true home, so to speak, of any particular 
species is the place where it is commonly 
reproduced. The so-called river-eel, there- 
fore, is distinctly a sea fish which frequents the 
river for catering purposes. 

Going back into the long past, we can 
imagine that sea-eels living in the vicinity of 
estuaries were attracted by a supply of food 
in the form of worms, etc., washed down to 
them at flood times. But as this influx would 
only occur occasionally, the expectant eels, it 
is natural to suppose, would acquire the habit 
of pushing up stream to look for them. After 
a time habit becomes fixed, and, eventually, 
hereditary ; and with change of environment 
differentiation takes place until the creatures 
are in every way adapted to their altered 
surroundings. In this way a new species 
comes into being and continues constant so 
long as the surroundings remain unaltered. 

But notwithstanding the changed form and 
mode of life, the home of the eel is always the 
sea. Though countless ages have doubtless 
passed since first the eel began to explore fresh 
water, the subconscious mind never forgets, so 
to express it, that in salt water only can the 
species reproduce its kind; hence the migration 
of eels from inland waters to the sea. 


CHAPTER XIX 
THE SALMON 


Now the history of the salmon is just the 
reverse to that of the eel. Bred in fresh water, 
Salmo salar, notwithstanding the title, is a 
river fish which migrates to the sea for the 
purpose of obtaining food which the river 
cannot produce. When descending the river 
as a smolt (young salmon) it has no conscious 
knowledge of the sea, but is impelled in the 
right direction by subconscious mind, which 
also rules the time of departure. 

Pursuing the same line of argument it may 
be interesting to trace, speculatively, the con- 
nection which undoubtedly exists between 
salmon and trout, and at the same time note 
how the subconscious force, like the reversing 
gear of machinery, needs but the touch of the 
‘mechanic’ to set the ‘“‘ wheels ’’ revolving 
in an opposite direction. 

Naturally, trout are fish of clear, swilt- 
running streams; strong swimmers and of 
a bold temperament, they are admirably 

139 


140 TROUT 

adapted to cope with turbulent waters, such 
as the fresh-run salmon loves and stems with 
ease. 

A peculiarity of the genus trout is that, 
relatively, the fish vary enormously in size, 
more so perhaps than any known species. 

But this is wholly a question of food supply ; 
where the waters flow rapidly over a rocky 
bed, and no weed exists, fish food is scarce, 
and in consequence the trout, though reaching 
maturity, rarely exceed a few inches in length. 
Lower down the river, where the streams are 
quieter and aquatic weed abounds, the aver- 
age size is much larger, including fish from 
I lb. and upwards; in short, the richer and 
more abundant the food the larger the trout. 
When trout get to be of a certain age they are 
wont to neglect the usual diet of flies, worms, 
caddis, etc., for fish of all kinds, not excepting 
their own species. In these cases they grow 
to a great size, sometimes equalling the pro- 
portions of salmon. This being so, we can 
believe that trout having once got into the sea, 
where the right kind of food (fish fry) is abund- 
ant and procurable at a minimum of physical 
exertion, must quickly fatten up, and also 
that the effect of salt water would soon change 
the appearance of the fish. Now, a river that 
contains salmon invariably holds trout, and 


SLOB-TROUT I4I 


the rule is, as we have seen, that the trout in 
the shallow, rocky streams at the head of the 
river, are small; those in the middle sections 
larger; and towards the mouth, where the 
water runs deep and meets the tide, the 
heaviest fish, known as “‘slob’’ trout, are 
found. These slob-trout, as the name suggests, 
are in the habit of moving up and down with 
the tide, and so get accustomed to the brackish 
water ; a plunge into the sea, therefore, would 
not greatly affect them. It is conceivable 
that during heavy floods in the past, as even 
now may be the case, some of these fish would 
be carried beyond the influence of the estuary. 

Presuming this to have been the case, the 
castaways, finding themselves in the midst of 
plenty, would have no occasion to return at 
once to the tide-way. In the meantime they 
would become acclimatized to the changed 
conditions, the result being gradual differenti- 
ation of form and character, ultimating in— 


(1) the species we recognize as Sea or 
White-Trout; and 
(2) the Salmon. 


Proof of the near relationship between sal- 
mon and trout is the fact that ova taken from 
a 20 lb. salmon can be fertilized by milt from 
a trout of a few ounces, a cross which naturally 


142 SALMONOID HYBRIDS 


produces a hybrid. Owing to the facility of 
cross-fertilization (accidental) between these 
species (trout, white-trout and salmon), the 
production of salmonoid hybrids is of frequent 
occurrence and the cause of much confusion to 
anglers and others, who are often puzzled to 
identify these fish. A consequence of this is 
that many local names have come into use 
which are extremely misleading, especially to 
the uninitiated who might naturally suppose 
there exist a variety of thalassadromous sal- 
mon, whereas, probably, there are only two 
fixed species, all variants being hybrids of one 
and another of these three species (including 
trout). 

Salmon, whose ancestors, we believe, were 
trout, having thus outgrown the river to such 
an extent that it was no longer possible to 
obtain food in it, systematically journeyed to 
the sea to cater for themselves, returning to 
fresh water for breeding purposes only. This 
they continue to do, because, being river fish, 
fresh water is essential to the hatching and 
maintenance of the young for the first year, 
when their appearance is so similar to that of 
trout of the same age as sometimes to puzzle 
the angler himself to distinguish them apart. 

* When, after sojourn in the sea, the fish returns 
to the river, the digestive organs lapse into a 


SALMON: A QUERY 143 


state of abeyance, food no longer assimilates ;1 
in leu, the salmon subsists on its own fat and 
high condition consequent on a rich sea diet. 
For this economical arrangement, which pro- 
vides against what otherwise would be a 
time of starvation, subconscious foresight is 
answerable.? 

Not so long ago, anyone who ventured to 
assert that salmon take no food when in fresh 
water was immediately posed with the ques- 
tion: ‘‘ Why, if such is the case, should the 
fish be attracted by the various baits and lures 
presented to them by the angler?’’ But of 
this we shall see later. 


1 This does not apply so strictly to white trout; possibly on 
account of their smaller size their food requirements come within 
the limits of the river’s supply. 

2 No ordinary salmon-river produces a tenth part of the food 
necessary to meet the sudden invasion of a number of huge 
predatory fish, supposing them to be dependent on it. 


CAA Pana 
THE SALMON-FLY 


Tue fact of salmon rising to the so-called “ fly ”’ 
—a monstrous artificial production in many 
forms and colours, resembling nothing on 
earth or in the water—presents somewhat of a 
puzzle to those anglers who are convinced that, 
whatever be the attraction, it is not a sense of 
hunger which prompts these fish to pursue the 
lure. 

It might appear that this matter is not 
germane to the subject, yet I believe a solution 
to the problem will be found whilst pursuing 
the very same lines of thought. Let us see. 

Like all unreasoning creatures, the fish is 
controlled by the subconscious principle within 
it. The subconscious mind, as before noted, 
responds promptly to external circumstances, 
and, so far as may be, always in favour of the 
welfare of the creature. Now the subconscious 
mind functions naturally, without reference to 
any mental process, and in the purely natural 
world this is all-sufficient and works without 

144 


BEHAVIOUR OF ANIMALS 145 


hindrance, perfectly. But when man appears 
on the scene he forthwith upsets nature’s 
arrangements, because his knowledge (ac- 
quired), though general, lacks the perfection 
of instinct. The animal, on the other hand, 
having no independent reasoning powers, is 
at one and in sympathy with nature. When 
considering nature this fact must be borne in 
mind, namely, that animals have no sense of 
reasoning. 

Had salmon the power of reflection, however 
limited, the angler would meet with even less 
success than at present attends his efforts. 

Unwittingly, for the most part, the angler 
takes advantage of this fact, namely, the 
salmon’s incapacity for reflection. But of 
this we shall see later. In the meanwhile, we 
will again consider the behaviour of animals 
in general under certain incidental circum- 
stances which perhaps may throw a light on 
the subject. 

All creatures, as we have seen, are provided 
with one or more means for self-protection, 
without which they could not compete in the 
struggle for existence. 

The weaker ones, those who possess no 
actual weapons of defence, rely on wing power 
and swiftness of foot. These are mostly of a 
shy and timid order, and when suddenly 


146 DOG AND DUCK DECOY 
surprised either escape at once or promptly 
conceal themselves, or seek shelter after out- 
distancing the enemy. If, however, the in- 
truder has first been detected at a distance, 
these creatures assume the rigid, observant 
attitude as noted under wildfowl. But, in 
this case, should the enemy, for some reason, 
chance to make a retrograde movement, it 
often happens that these naturally timid 
ones cautiously proceed to follow in the wake 
of the foe; an innate sense of curiosity seems 
to lead them on in the track of possible 
danger. The more unusual to the surround- 
ings or abnormal in appearance is the object, 
the greater the attraction appears to be. 

An instance of this may be seen at a duck- 
decoy, where a dog is used to attract the birds. 
Though the dog is a natural foe perfectly well 
known to the ducks, he is, in this otherwise 
quiet spot, out of place ; but when in the 
middle of the pool the ducks (subconsciously) 
know they are safe, and as the dog retreats 
along the edge of the water (he is trained to do 
so), the birds start to swim in his direction 
until they have passed within the first or 
outer screen of the decoy ; then the dog slips 
back under cover and shows himself above the 
screen and behind the ducks. Now the distance 
between the dog and the ducks is much 


A SENSE OF CURIOSITY 147 


reduced, the latter become alarmed, and in 
their fright press on up the narrowing water. 
In the meanwhile, the dog (or decoy-man) 
keeps moving on from screen to screen, until 
finally the whole flock is enmeshed. 

Now, had the ducks a spark of individual 
intelligence there is nothing to prevent them 
from either swimming or flying back into the 
open water with impunity, but they cannot 
do so for lack of reasoning powers. 

A sense of what we must understand as 
curiosity is quickly aroused in birds by the 
sudden appearance in their midst of a foreign 
species of gaudy plumage; even a yellow 
canary, at large, will produce the same effect, 
which is, as most people know, that the un- 
fortunate and, maybe, harmless creature is at 
once mobbed and set upon by all the small 
birds in the neighbourhood. The meaning of 
this is that the bird is strange, 7.¢., not natural 
to these particular surroundings; the sub- 
conscious mind, therefore, is not in sympathy 
with it; but should the occurrence become 
common, natural harmony, by degrees, is 
restored. The readjustment is gradual, be- 
cause there is no intelligence whereby it might 
be quickly effected. 

In the same way animals become accus- 
tomed, as we say, to innovations, such as 


148 THE HORSE A TIMID CREATURE 


bicycles, motors, aeroplanes, etc. What at 
first caused terror no longer affects them when 
ceasing to be anything out of the ordinary. 

A horse, for instance, is easily affrighted, 
and so may be classed under “‘ timid animals.” 
Quite an insignificant object, if out of place, 
causes a horse to shy and bolt. Trusting his 
legs to carry him swiftly out of the (supposed) 
danger zone, the animal makes off at full 
speed. Many grave accidents have resulted 
from this proneness on the part of the horse’ to 
shy at misplaced objects. 

The elephant does not shy; not perhaps 
because the beast is more courageous than the 
horse, but because it has other means for self- 
protection in the stead of speed on which it 
can barely rely. 

When speaking of the horse we sometimes 
apply the term “‘ courageous,” ‘‘ an animal of 
high courage ’’ is a common expression ; but, 
naturally, the creature is highly strung and 
nervous, and shows courage only when in- 
spired by a human spirit. (Horse and rider 
should be in telepathic sympathy.) Though 
many are savage, no animal, I believe, is really 
courageous in the true sense; real courage 
infers a realization of mortal danger which 
animals cannot appreciate. 

As an example of animals becoming 


HORSE PRONE TO SHY 149 


accustomed to non-natural objects, we might 
instance some manufactured article, such as 
an umbrella. A horse who had never seen a 
man carrying an umbrella over his head, and 
was suddenly to meet one, would almost 
certainly shy, if he did not actually jump 
round and bolt in an opposite direction ; but 
after seeing the same constantly, he becomes 
eradually reconciled and finally ceases to take 
any notice of it whatever. 

Now, change the scene. Picture the same 
horse being led through a gate and turned 
loose in the field. His first impulse is to start 
off at full gallop, head and tail in the air. 

Full of spirit on obtaining his liberty, the 
horse careers wildly round the field feeling, no 
doubt, in complete sympathy with his sur- 
roundings, which, in fact, for the moment he 
is. Thus galloping, the animal rounds an 
angle of the hedge when he comes suddenly 
on an open umbrella lying prone on the grass 
and rocking in the wind. 

Under these conditions, no longer normal, 
it would be fairly safe to say that the animal 
would inevitably shy at the object (which he 
has seen a thousand times before, but under 
different circumstances) and gallop from it as 
one possessed. But after covering a certain 
distance the horse is seen to face round, stare 


150 CURIOSITY SUCCEEDS FRIGHT 


at the umbrella and snort. Then perhaps a 
sudden gust drives the umbrella towards him, 
whereupon the animal starts off again in mad 
career, But being confined by the hedges of 
the field, he eventually finds himself on the 
further side of the dreaded object, which, 
meanwhile, continues its erratic course before 
the wind. But now it is travelling away from 
the horse who, by this time, has come to a 
standstill and is gazing fixedly at the retreat- 
ing object. By degrees the panic condition 
subsides, giving place to curiosity, and the 
horse, like the ducks, slowly proceeds to 
follow up the very object which at first was 
the cause of such abject fright. 

The end of it is, the horse approaches the 
umbrella and actually sniffs at it; but he 
comes to no reasonable conclusion, the proof 
of which is that should the umbrella chance to 
be blown out in his face, he becomes panic- 
stricken as before. Yet the thing is perfectly 
harmless, as any being with intelligence would 
have seen at a glance. 

We gather from this description, which I 
think is fairly true to nature, that the senses 
of fear and curiosity are somehow connected. 

The animal man (and dare I say woman ?) 
has this same sense of curiosity strongly in- 
herent, as is shown by the following common 


ANIMALS LED BY SENSE OF CURIOSITY 151 


expression: “‘ My natural sense of curiosity 
compelled me to go and see what it was.”’ 

Exactly; his zunate sense of curiosity over- 
whelmed all considerations at the moment the 
occurrence took place. 

The subconscious mind is in action before 
the intellect can be brought into line. The 
animal having no intelligence is simply led on 
indefinitely by its sense of curiosity, even 
though it be to destruction; but notwith- 
standing, this sense of curiosity would appear 
to be one of nature’s schemes for self-protec- 
tion. So long as their surroundings are 
entirely normal the creatures live and function 
in complete harmony with nature, for they 
themselves are parts of the natural surround- 
ings; but when anything abnormal occurs a 
discordant note is struck which destroys the 
harmony ; it no longer rings true. The con- 
sequence is the animals become restless, and 
are impelled to go and inspect the cause of the 
disturbance though they are powerless to 
reason out the circumstance, and cannot tell 
whether the appearance portends danger or 
not. The result is that the creatures are 
either scared into the panic condition, or else 
held to the spot, fascinated. 

In most cases an unnatural happening would 
be fraught with danger, especially to animals. 


CHAPTER XXI 
CREATURES ATTRACTED BY UNUSUAL APPEARANCES 


Now to examine some further examples of the 
way in which creatures are attracted by un- 
natural, unusual appearances. 

Let us imagine a herd of cattle peacefully 
grazing in a meadow whilst the farmer is seen 
making his way across the field. Unless the 
man is bringing food, or it happens to be 
milking time, he attracts no attention, the 
beasts do not so much as look at him. But 
should he elect to stop in the middle of the 
field and then proceed to stand on his head, 
maintaining that posture, the whole herd will 
be round him in less than no time, and, more- 
over, he runs considerable chance of being 
butted by one or more of the animals, who are 
supposed to know him well. In the mean- 
time, the man in the road laughs at the 
spectacle, and inwardly exclaims, “‘ What a 
fool old Jones is making of himself”: but he 
feels no pressing inclination to join in with the 
assembled beasts, for the whole scene has been 
enacted deliberately. To him, Jones is still 


152 


BEHAVIOUR OF A HERD OF CATTLE 153 


Jones, whether standing on his head or his 
heels. But this is not so with the beasts who 
can only perceive an abnormal appearance, 
which first startles, then attracts, and finally 
ivvitates them. 

It is true the spectator may experience some 
curiosity as to why Jones should have made 
such an exhibition of himself, and this causes 
him to reflect; but what primarily induced 
the sensation of curiosity was the working of 
his own subconscious mind. 

Taking advantage of this sense of curiosity 
in unreasoning creatures, man has invented 
an ingenious device for attracting larks. These 
birds (skylarks) have a marketable value, and 
judging from the numbers seen hanging up in 
the poulterers’ shops it is evident that in some 
way they are slaughtered wholesale. Netting, 
probably, accounts for many, though of this 
I have no experience, but can testify to the 
efficacy of the above-mentioned invention, 
which, without going into unnecessary par- 
ticulars, consists of a column of upright pris- 
matic mirrors arranged in circular form and 
rotated by clockwork. 

This apparatus is placed on the ground in 
open country, and, of course, can only be used 
in clear weather, when the rays of the sun are 
refracted by the mirrors, with the result that 


154 LURING SKYLARKS 

the scintillations therefrom are visible at a 
long distance. This entirely abnormal appear- 
ance proves irresistible to the larks, who soon 
gather round and wheel about in great num- 
bers above the object of their curiosity. 

It is then an easy matter for the sports- 
man (?), concealed under cover of a stunted 
bush or “ hide ”’ of some kind, to fire into the 
~ brown,” and to keep on firing at intervals, 
for the larks seem positively hypnotized and 
are loath to quit the spot. 

Light intensified by darkness has always a 
great fascination for animals. The beasts of 
the forests, though fearing fire, nevertheless 
are attracted by the light of camp fires. 

“ The moth to the flame” is proverbial. 
Insects of all kinds come to light, and by this 
means Many rare specimens find their way 
into the entomologist’s cabinet. And lastly, 
fish, particularly salmon, fall a prey to man 
from a sense of curiosity which impels them 
to rise to the surface of the water when a 
bright light is shed from above. 

Ifit were not for this subconscious impulse, 
so commonly observed in nature, namely, an 
irresistible desire to pry into something un- 
known, I believe it would not be possible to 
take salmon in fresh water with any kind of 
bait or lure. 


THE SALMON PROBLEM 155 


That we can do so, occasionally, is due toa 
psychological condition which, to my mind, 
makes the salmon problem extremely inter- 
esting both from the scientific and practical 
point of view. 

In deluding trout by means of an artificial 
fly there is no mystery whatever. In this case 
the fish seizes the object for what it represents, 
namely, an exact copy of the insect food of 
which the trout is in search, and which it 
greedily takes when skilfully presented. But 
in salmon fishing, skill is not nearly so 
essential ; that is to say, the veriest tyro, who 
by no possibility could catch a trout, may 
easily hook a salmon, providing he can manage 
to get the fly somehow, or anyhow, over the 
spot at the “ psychological moment.’”’ That 
is the whole secret, and unless the angler is 
fortunate in timing this event he may fish, 
never so skilfully, the whole day long without 
moving a fish, and then perhaps, to his disgust, 
behold the said tyro arrive on the scene and 
immediately get fast in a salmon. 

Success in salmon fishing, as I think any 
old hand will agree, is absolutely a matter of 
luck in so far as raising the fish is concerned. 
The most that can be said is that the man who 
“sticks at it ’’ longest scores the most fish. 


Gs Ba) pad Ba I ide a We 
THE ‘“‘ GENTLE ART”’ 


THOUGH this is not intended as a treatise on 
angling, it is necessary to go into some details 
in connection with the ‘‘ gentle art ”’ in order 
to review the matter from a psychological 
standpoint, and incidentally to suggest a 
reason why the fish is so erratic in its move- 
ments. 

Anglers of experience, having formed their 
own opinions on this subject, are not easily 
converted to another’s views and theories : 
there is no reason why they should be; there- 
fore in submitting my conclusions, based on a 
long experience, I write in no dogmatic spirit, 
but offer them for what they are worth. At 
the same time, I shall endeavour to make no 
statements unsupported by evidence familiar 
to anglers. 

‘Now, with regard to salmon flies, there are 
certain recognized standard types, besides 
innumerable fancy patterns, not one of which 
has a living prototype; however, all are 

156 


PEE so RIG PY By: 157 


duly, if absurdly, named. Thus we have 
‘ Doctors,” “‘ Butchers,” “‘ Rangers,” ‘‘ Snow 
flies,’’ etc. 

Who, indeed, ever heard of a Snow fly! 
Surely not the salmon, nor did he ever see the 
ghost of one until some cunning angler first 
presented to his notice a bunch of bright 
coloured feathers tied to the silver-gleaming 
shank of a hook. 

The generality of salmon anglers are greatly 
exercised in their minds regarding the “‘right”’ 
fly to use before proceeding to business, and 
much precious time is often wasted whilst 
selecting it. The state of the water, weather 
conditions, the size of the fly and, last but not 
least, the local type of fly must be considered. 
For instance, a Dee fly is regarded as perfectly 
useless in the case of salmon inhabiting the 
Blackwater (County Cork), and vice versa ; a 
‘“ Lemon-ended-grey ’’ would be deemed en- 
tirely out of its element on the Dee. In fact, 
each river appears to have evolved a special 
“ breed ”’ of fly, adapted to the locality, but 
useless elsewhere. Seeing that not one of these 
“ fancies ’’ represents anything on earth, the 
matter might be described as “ one of those 
things no fellah can understand.’’ And the 
most amazing part of it is that there should be 
exceptions. However, exceptions there are ; 


158 THE ‘JOCK SCOTT” 


some few patterns are permitted and may be 
hopefully cast upon any waters. 

Prominent amongst these is the well-known 
“Jock Scott,” an excellent all-round fly which, 
as a matter of fact, will kill fish the world over ; 
and from this very fact, it may be, we shall 
obtain a clue to at least part of the mystery. 

Possibly it may never have occurred to any- 
one that the dominant colours embodied in 
the ‘‘ Jock Scott” are “warning colours’’; not 
only that, but warning colours of the deadliest 
type. Yellow, or orange and black, is nature’s 
indication that the bearer is not only dis- 
tasteful, but actually poisonous. All creatures 
recognize these colours, and promptly reject 
as food anything remotely approaching this 
combination. ‘‘ Warning colours ”’ are inten- 
tionally conspicuous in order to attract atten- 
tion and so give timely notice of the quality of 
the bearer. I fear, however, that this argu- 
ment is by no means calculated to inspire hope 
in the breast of the angler who, under the 
belief that he is offering a dainty morsel for 
the salmon’s palate, presents a ‘“‘ Jock Scott” 
to his notice. No, as food, it would certainly 
be declined; but, it has the effect of attracting 
the fish, which is the first step. 

Now we shall look at the matter from the 
salmon’s point of view, always supposing him 


THE SALMON’S CURIOSITY AROUSED 159 


alive to passing events. Thus, the famous 
“Jock Scott,’ arrayed in “orange and black,”’ 
comes overhead. At first the fish regards it 
with suspicion as being something unnatural 
to the surroundings, but any sense of fear is 
soon dispelled by the fact that this strange 
apparition shows no signs of aggressiveness ; 
on the contrary, it has all the appearance of 
trying to escape. This at once acts as an 
incentive, and his natural curiosity being 
aroused, the salmon goes in pursuit. The slow 
moving object is quickly overhauled and com- 
pletely at the mercy of the pursuer; but 
warned by its colours, the latter turns over 
and comes back to his original station. Again 
the “jigging ’’ object appears overhead; the 
salmon’s curiosity is once more aroused; 
plunging after the retreating form he rolls over 
it with intent to destroy. But at the third 
offer the fish is fairly irritated and charges 
ferociously, snapping at the object as a dog 
might snap at a wasp, though, subconsciously, 
he knows it for a noxious insect. 

It may be objected that this presentation of 
the case is problematical. Butisit? We will 
interrogate the angler on the bank as to what 
has happened. Says he: ‘‘ The salmon rose 
at me three times, twice he missed the fly, but 
I had him the third time.” 

M 


160 MODES OF APPROACH » 

If the salmon muzssed the fly, he did so 
intentionally. What is the proportion, I 
wonder, of rises to one salmon that is hooked ? 

A salmon rising with real intent to capture 
the slowly moving object would not, I believe, 
miss it once in 100 times, whereas, in actual 
practice, the “misses ”’ far outnumber the 
mutter: 

We observe that the fish has several modes 
of approach and attack. Sometimes he rises, 
apparently, at the first offer in a determined 
manner, which is considered the best kind of 
rise. At another time he makes several feints 
before finally catching hold (as described). 
Then again, he is distinctly seen to follow the 
lure slowly right across the river, repeating 
the performance at each succeeding “ cast.” 
In this case the fish rarely takes hold. Some- 
times the salmon will come with a rush, head 
and shoulders out of water, throwing himself 
on top of the fly, apparently with intent to 
drown it. The angler “‘strikes,’’ but, as a 
rule, the fly comes back without resistance, 
though there is always the off chance of foul- 
hooking the fish, which, as a matter of fact, 
does occur not infrequently. 

To my mind these various performances 
suggest that the salmon is not out for food, 
but is attracted by curiosity which culminates 


“JOCK SCOTT’ AN ALL-ROUND FLY 161 


in irritation or anger, aS we might describe 
the same emotion when manifested by the 
cattle butting at the inverted man. 

The subconscious mind of these creatures 
vesents what it cannot understand—-what, in 
fact, is inharmonious or out of keeping with 
the surroundings. Fear succeeded by curi- 
osity and anger, it would seem, are different 
phases of the same subconscious emotion. 
After awhile, when the “Jock Scott’’ or other 
“fancy ’’ is daily fished down over the same 
water, it becomes part of the surroundings, and 
the fish, greatly to the disgust of the angler, 
ceases to take any notice of it whatever, which 
would not be the case if the salmon was 
hungering after food. 

That the “Jock Scott’’ has the reputation 
of being one, if not the best, all-round fly is 
in itself significant; there must be some 
reason for it: the fly could not have become 
a universal favourite did it not possess some 
exceptional qualities. I have pointed out 
what, in my opinion, may be the explanation ; 
but, in any case, the angler, when in doubt, 
can hardly do better than mount the “ orange 
and black.” 

Should a brother angler chance to read these, 
my views, on this particular fly, and be im- 
pressed by them, he may think to himself 


162 AN UNCERTAIN RISER 

“now I have a ‘ tip’ for the ‘ right ’ fly,” and 
truly I believe that, given other things equal, 
he would kill, not more perhaps, but as many 
fish, using this one fly (in different sizes) only, 
as another free to choose from the whole 
category of so-called salmon flies. 

In trout fishing the angler can pretty well 
judge when the fish may be expected to rise ; 
in fact, he can see them in the act of sucking 
in the natural insects as they float down the 
stream and fish accordingly. But when 
salmon show on the surface it is no indication 
that they will rise to our fly; indeed, it is 
rather a bad sign than otherwise. A salmon 
may come at any time, or he may not come at 
all, though we know, for a fact, that he lies in 
a certain spot, and as if to reassure us of his 
presence, occasionally shows himself by jump- 
ing out of the water. Perhaps after toiling 
daily for a week we at last succeed in getting 
a rise out of him. 

Now, in my belief, this erratic behaviour 
can be accounted for when we come to look 
into the creature’s habits. Why does the 
salmon ascend rivers? And what is he doing 
there, from the time of arrival till the breeding 
season commences, a period covering some 
months 

As we have already noted, salmon enter 


OXYGEN NECESSARY TO SALMON 163 


fresh water for no other purpose than to shed 
their spawn, and during the interval of waiting 
they are doing, practically, nothing—merely 
waiting for the ova (and sperm) to mature. 
But to this end oxygen is highly necessary, 
therefore we observe the fish lying mostly in 
the heavy, aerated streams ; but as the water 
gets low and becomes stale and tepid, the fish, 
now and again, is compelled to come to the 
surface and obtain air from the outside. I 
make this statement with some assurance, as 
I have been in a position to see a chain of air 
bubbles rising from the depths which could 
not be confused with scattered bubbles result- 
ing from the splash of the fish as he plunged. 

In highly aerated waters, such as the snow- 
fed streams of Norway, salmon show less on 
the surface, though probably there are more 
fish contained in these rivers. 

When creatures, either from lack of food, 
climatic conditions or for other reasons, are 
forced to “‘ weather’”’ a certain period, they 
become inactive and pass into the state known 
as “‘hybernation ” or “ estivation,” as the 
case may be, when they rest in a torpid or 
semi-torpid condition until nature is again 
ready for them to resume active life. This, in 
my belief, is the salmon’s case. Shortly after 
entering fresh water the fish lapses into this 


164 ZESTIVATION OF SALMON 
condition, namely (in his case), zstivation ; 
but, from various causes, the salmon’s sleep 
is constantly interrupted. Temporary wake- 
fulness is common to other creatures when in 
the same state. 

It may be said that if salmon were in a tor- 
pid state they would be unable to hold their 
own in the strong currents they are known to 
frequent ; but even this (though immaterial 
to my argument) I believe possible ; for when 
we consider the shape and weight of the fish, 
it is obvious that the slightest motion of the 
tail is sufficient to keep it stationary in the 
heaviest streams. The waving motion of the 
tail of a fish in running water is automatic 
and never ceases. An instance in point was 
brought to my notice on an occasion when a 
pike had been landed. The fish was knocked 
on the head and suspended from the branch 
ofa tree. When in this position I noticed the 
tail rhythmically waving ; this it continued 
to do for half an hour with exactly the same 
motion as if the fish were alive and still in the 
water. 

However, as a general rule, salmon lie 
behind submerged stones and rocks, and for 
this reason the most likely ‘‘runs’’ to hold 
fish are those in which rocks and boulders are 
strewn about on the bed of the river, and so 


LIKELY RUNS 105 


deflect the swift-running current. Though 
not always apparent from above, a swirl on 
the surface of the water denotes the where- 
abouts of these obstructions, and the ex- 
perienced angler searches carefully with his 
fly round about these spots, for, if anywhere, 
it is here the salmon will be found; though 
whether he be in a condition to notice the fly 
is another matter. When in the lethargic state 
I have suggested, the fish will not see the fly, 
and the angler’s best endeavours prove 
fruitless. 


CHAPTER XXIII 
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE 


THE following, a personal experience, went far 
to convince me that salmon in fresh water 
pass much of their time in a drowsy, slumber- 
ous state. 

A friend and myself were trout fishing, in 
early summer, on an Irish river. The water 
at the time was dead low, and a bright sun 
overhead. It was afternoon, and as there was 
no prospect of sport I was sitting idly on the 
bank watching my companion, who, with a 
view to fishing the current in mid-river, was in 
the act of wading out through a shallow back- 
water, the bottom of which was strewn with 
stones and boulders ; in high water a likely 
enough spot to hold a salmon, but now too low 
for anything. Presently my friend called to 
me to the effect that a salmon lay between two 
boulders just in front of him. In answer, I 
begged him to remain quietly until I should 
come out, thinking at the same time he must 
be mistaken on account of the shallowness of 
the water. 

166 


A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE 167 


However, after coming up behind him, 
there, sure enough, was a salmon of about 
12 Ib., lying in less than 3 ft. of water and 
fully exposed. Intent on making a nearer 
inspection, I cautiously advanced until getting 
within a few feet of the fish’s tail, where I 
could see the eyes and every scale on its body. 
I then carefully backed out without disturbing 
the fish, and, together, we returned to the 
bank to consider the situation. We had 
nothing in the shape of salmon tackle, nor 
would it have been of any use, in a legitimate 
way, even had we possessed it. After con- 
sulting for more than half an hour, we came 
to the conclusion there was nothing to be done 
by fair means ; but the day, so far, had been 
blank, and here was a fish literally within our 
grasp. We determined, therefore, if possible, 
to “grasp’”’ it. So, divesting myself of coat 
and tucking up my sleeves, I again waded out 
to the spot and found the salmon in the very 
same position. But this time I got still closer, 
practically standing over him, so that I could 
now clearly observe the gills functioning in a 
perfectly regular and normal way, which fact 
convinced me there was nothing wrong with 
the fish, though why he permitted so close an 
approach was more or less of a mystery. 

Now or never, thought I, so bending over 


168 A SECRET FROM NATURE 


the water (my head now on a level with that 
of the fish) I slowly lowered my arm, intending 
to grip the salmon above the tail rays. But 
the end came quickly. For at the moment of 
contact, before I could close down on him, 
the form simply vanished as if it had been 
some phantom of the depths. So quick was 
his passage, I can only describe it as the flight 
of an arrow from a bow; nothing remained 
but a little cloud of dissipated sand. 

Had my attempt succeeded, in all probability 
the story would not have been told. However, 
even had I obtained a fair grasp, I much doubt 
whether it would have been possible to hold 
on to a fresh and vigorous fish. Like most 
anglers, I had landed many a salmon on the 
line by this method, therefore knew exactly 
how to proceed ; but, alas, this awakened fish 
was too much for me. 

Though it ended in a tramp home with 
empty creels, the day had not been profitless ; 
for though I had failed in seizing a salmon, I 
had, so I thought (and still think),“ snatched ”’ 
a secret from nature. 

That this salmon was perfectly healthy but 
in a natural lethargic state, I was fully per- 
suaded ; there was no other possible explana- 
tion. A salmon with his eyes open, so to 
speak, would not have permitted an approach 


A SLEEPING SALMON 169 


such as we made on the two occasions ; more, 
he would not even have remained where he 
was in the face of the first intruder who 
chanced to pass along the bank. I have no 
doubt in my own mind that what happened 
was this: the salmon had taken up his 
“lodge ’’ during high water, lapsed into the 
torpid condition, and, being undisturbed, 
remained thus until we discovered him, by 
which time the water had subsided and run 
down to a low level. In the reaches where 
the incident occurred, the river was wont to 
run off after a short spell of dry weather. 

It has since often occurred to me, when 
thinking of this event, that it is utterly futile 
to cast over a fish in this state (state of 
estivation). A sleeping salmon—or, at all 
events, a salmon unconscious, for some reason, 
of the presence of a man bending over it— 
would scarcely be in a condition to notice a 
small object such as a fly; and as with this 
particular fish, so probably was the case of all 
the others of the same species at that time and 
state of the water. 

Although the salmon estivates during the 
summer months, his sleep, as we may call it, 
is perpetually interrupted by the sudden 
changes that take place in his native element. 
An alteration in temperature, or rising of the 


170 THE ANGLER’S OPPORTUNITY 


water (spate), will awaken the fish, and as the 
flood comes down he is impelled to continue 
his upward journey to higher reaches. The 
salmon being now fully awake pushes up 
stream until the water begins to subside. This 
is the angler’s most favourable opportunity, 
because, not only is the fish awake, but on the 
move, seeking a fresh “lodge’’ in which he 
will again become dormant so soon as the 
river declines. In the meanwhile, the water is 
still discoloured, which is also in favour of the 
angler. Under these circumstances, and pro- 
vided the fish are up, the chances of attracting 
and hooking a salmon are considerable ; but 
once the water drops to summer level the 
pursuit becomes well nigh hopeless. As 
autumn draws on, however, matters begin to 
improve, though the fish himself has very 
much “ disimproved”’; for now he presents 
a dull coppery-red appearance instead of the 
bright silver-sides we observed in the spring. 
But he takes the fly much more readily, simply 
because, having passed the period of estiva- 
tion, the creature is wide awake and on the 
move in anticipation of the breeding season. 

The angler’s next meeting with the salmon is 
early in the following spring, when the fish, lean 
and lanky, hasresumed his silvery coat of scales, 
and is then known as a “ kelt”’ or spent fish. 


REAL BAITS 171 


His habits are the same as before, excepting 
that he is now no longer in the torpid state, 
and shows himself more frequently on the 
surface, for in his present emaciated condition 
oxygen is more than ever necessary to keep 
life in his body pending the flood water which 
eventually carries him down and out of the 
river. Thus, from first to last, the salmon takes 
no food in fresh water; but, in the “ kelt ”’ 
stage, the fish is more easily attracted by a 
lure than at any other time, chiefly because 
he is awake, and also, perhaps, because the 
fasting period having nearly come to an end, 
the naturally predacious fish is induced to grab 
at anything that comes within reach; but, 
most assuredly, the kelt does not wander in 
search of food. 

It may be asked, “What of real baits used 
by the salmon angler? ’’ My answer is that 
what I have said of the salmon-fly applies 
equally to these. All of them, without excep- 
tion, are unnatural presentations. The worm, 
of course, is a natural bait as far as it goes, but 
it goes three at a time! Three lob-worms 
strung together on a single hook are fished in 
low, clear water, when no worms or other food 
matter comes down in a natural way. In high, 
discoloured water, when trout can be freely 
taken with worm, salmon will not look at it ; 


172 WORM AS BAIT 


knowing it to be useless, the angler does not 
then adopt this method. But in clear water, 
salmon are now and again attracted from sheer 
curiosity : the fish nibbles gently at the trail- 
ing worm-tail, but oftener than not, drops it 
and has to be drawn out a second and a third 
time before actually taking the worms into 
his mouth. Still, the fact remains, that the 
fish, given ample time, will sometimes swallow 
down the whole bunch, though whether the 
worms so taken (eliminating the hook) would 
remain in the stomach is doubtful. Fish, it 
may be said, have great facility for disgorging ; 
at any rate, no alimentary matter is ever found 
in the intestines of salmon (including kelts) 
which have been in the river for any length of 
time ; therefore, it seems reasonable to con- 
clude that the salmon does not swallow this 
bunch of worms because he needs food. 
Another bait is the “‘ prawn,’’ a useful lure 
at times, but of all unnatural curiosities em- 
ployed by the salmon angler this is, perhaps, 
the most preposterous. To begin with, a 
prawn in any case is not natural to fresh water, 
and when boiled assumes an unnatural colour ; 
added to which, the movement imparted to it 
by the angler (itis dragged tail foremost against 
the current) is false to nature. But under 
certain water conditions the prawn excites the 


THE PRAWN AND SPINNING BAITS 173 


salmon’s curiosity ; he follows it; but ob- 
serve (it is sometimes possible to do so) how 
he follows it. In most cases the fish does not 
come with a rush, but slowly pursues the 
object as if intent on making a thorough in- 
spection before venturing to touch it. Then 
perhaps the angler is conscious of a momentary 

“ pull” or drag on the line. I particularly 
mention this fact because it is inconceivable 
how the salmon can touch the prawn without 
being hooked, seeing that a flight of hooks lie 
at the extreme end—that is, at the head of the 
prawn facing the fish. Such, however, is what 
constantly happens in actual practice, and a 
“ strike’ at this juncture is likely to prove 
fatal, as regards the angler. 

I can only think that the fish makes a 
tentative offer for the bait, at the same time 
closing down his jaws on the feelers of the 
prawn, which, of course, protrudesome distance 
beyond the hooks. 

Spinning baits, whether real or artificial, 
may be briefly disposed of as being merely 
variations of the same system, which is to 
attract attention by exciting the fish’s natural 
curiosity. The eccentric movement of these 
baits gives the appearance of a fugitive dis- 
abled and endeavouring to escape. And here 
we may note a natural law which rules that 


174 EVIDENCE OF A STRONG NATURE 


nothing shall survive that is not absolutely 
fit—is not in complete correspondence with 
its surroundings. Thus, in pure nature we 
observe that when a creature is in any way 
sick or disabled, its fellows, instead of tending 
it as would be the case with humans, mob and 
drive it away, if they do not actually destroy 
it. The fact, therefore, of a creature being in 
trouble is in itself sufficient to incite another 
with full powers, especially one of predatory 
habit, to go in pursuit. 

Before leaving this subject I would say, that 
if evidence of a strong nature were necessary 
to prove that salmon do not feed in fresh water, 
it lies in the fact that no salmon (so far as Iam 
aware) has ever been known to take a live bait, 
a really natural object, and which proves so 
deadly in the case of other predatory fish— 
pike, perch, etc. No angler in his senses would 
dream of live-baiting for salmon. 

I have dwelt at some length on the salmon 
problem in order to show the psychological 
aspect of the case; but to do so, and obtain 
the strongest evidence, it has been necessary 
to go practically into angling matters. Such 
evidence bearing on the behaviour of salmon 
under certain conditions as I have here sub- 
mitted, is only within the knowledge of prac- 
tical anglers, but I have little hesitation in 


FISH MANIFEST MIND-BLENDING 175 


saying that these, whatever be their indivi- 
dual impressions as to the actual cause which 
induces salmon to rise and take the fly and 
other baits, will bear me out in these par- 
ticulars. 

Fish, when in company (schools), manifest 
very clearly the telepathic mind-blending 
phenomenon. This will be apparent when 
observing the movements of a packed mass of 
recently hatched fry, such as minnows, or sea- 
fry of any kind. As in the case of the birds, 
the action of each tiny atom synchronizes with 
the movements of his fellows, which causes 
the massed units to move as one body. This 
appearance is best seen when the fish are 
swimming in mid-water, clear and still. 


CHAPTER XXIV 
THE SWARMING OF BEES 


In respect to mind-blending, I have so far 
maintained that all the units of a group, irre- 
spective of sex and age, are of an equality ; 
but as all rules have exceptions, it is well to 
look into nature for one which may prove the 
rule in this instance. Possibly it may be dis- 
covered in Hymenoptera ; therefore, let us 
take another glance at these insects. 

The “swarming” of bees is not only an 
extraordinary sight, but is significant when 
taken in conjunction with my proposition. 

What is this wonderful attraction which 
enthrals the worker - bees? ‘‘ The queen, 
naturally.’”’ Yes, in every sense the ‘“‘ swarm- 
ing ’’ process is a natural scheme which en- 
sures the continuity of this particular species. 
Overcrowding necessitates distribution, and 
as in the case of the processionary cater- 
pillars, it is imperative that the bees keep 
together when seeking to form a fresh colony, 
a special means has been evolved to meet the 

176 


ATTRACTION OF THE QUEEN 177 


conditions ; hence the passing from place to 
place of a large number of insects, flying in 
company, is effected with absolute certainty. 
The queen has a strong attractive power, 
distinct from sexual attraction, seeing that 
those subject to her spell are “ neuters ”’ (un- 
developed females). It also seems fairly 
certain that the swarming bees are not in- 
fluenced by sight, for, ignoring the fact that 
insects have a short range of vision, the bulk of 
them cannot obtain a glimpse of the queen, so 
completely is she blotted out by an inner wall 
of the insects themselves. 

Now the units composing this seething mass 
are exactly of the same size and pattern ; the 
queen, on the contrary, is much larger and 
different in form, so that she is easily dis- 
tinguished by the human eye with a reasoning 
sense of proportion. The inference to be drawn 
from this unusual divergence—according to 
my argument—is, that though not one of the 
community, of whatever description, possesses 
an atom of intelligence, al/ are imbued with 
subconscious mentality; but in the queen 
there is centred a nucleus—a larger share than 
possessed by any other single unit. This 
may very well be, when we come to consider 
the vitality (the Force-of-Life) in this abnor- 
mal creature, the Queen-Mother, who has it in 


178 THE QUEEN-MIND, A CENTRAL FORCE 


her to vitalize an entire colony. Thus 
whereas the mind-units of the workers are 
equal, the queen-mind preponderates and acts 
as a central force. 

But this case, exceptional as it is, does not 
affect my original hypothesis, namely, that 
the group or “‘ swarm,” as the case may be, is 
served by one pervading mind. 

Myers says: .‘“‘ Mutual gravitation or kin- 
ship of spirits which is the foundation of the 
telepathic law.”’ 

This concisely describes my understanding 
of mind-blending as I have applied it to the 
Animal World. 

It is not necessary for my purpose to dwell 
on the doings of bees whose proceedings have 
been so ably treated by more competent 
writers. But in case it should be urged that, 
though my theory may possibly account for 
the act of “swarming,” it does not apply to 
the behaviour of these wonderful creatures 
when at work in the hive where dissimilar 
operations are in process at the same time, I 
therefore propose the following simile, which, 
notwithstanding that it deals with human 
units, appears, to some extent, to fit the case. 

Thus, we will compare an insect community 
to a vessel at sea with a full complement of 
men. During the voyage from one port to 


A SIMILE 179 


another the ship is completely isolated, and 
therefore self-dependent. In fine weather and 
foul weather the vessel continues to maintain 
a true course, and ultimately reaches the haven 
of her destination. 

This achievement is the result of the com- 
bined labour of many hands in various capa- 
cities. But these hands (members of the crew), 
who bring the ship safely into harbour, have 
no will of their own in this matter. They are 
neither supposed nor required to think ; simply 
and automatically they obey orders trans- 
mitted by the Captain, who has in his mind— 
or should have—the whole working system of 
the ship in minutest detail. Any inclination 
to reflect on the part of these human units 
tends only to obstruct the proper conduct and 
management of the vessel. 

In regard to the actual undertaking, all 
hands are imbued with the same object, viz., 
to bring the ship to the port of her destination. 
But it is immaterial that these hands shall 
know the name of the port, or even the in- 
tention of the undertaking. But as to the work 
in hand all the members of the crew, in what- 
ever capacity, are of the same mind, 1.e., one 
mind which is open and free to receive thoughts 
(verbally transmitted in this case) emanating 
from the Master-Mind, the Captain of the ship. 


180 INCLUSIVE SYMPATHETIC REACTION 

This is an example of inclusive, sympathetic . 
reaction, without which no undertaking that 
necessitates combined labour can be accom- 
plished. 

If this is so in the instance of a human 
community, how much more perfect must be 
the system where the “ seat of mentality ”’ is 
infallible and the individual units devoid of 
reasoning powers. 

From this it will be seen that the human 
members and the insect units of a community 
behave in a very similar manner. In either 
case their actions are, so to speak, automatic. 
But there is always this difference between the 
human and the insect unit, namely, whereas 
the former must first learn and then practise 
his one job until it becomes subconsciously 
impressed, the latter, being incapable of 
intelligent effort, acts, from the first, in 
accordance with spontaneous knowledge— 
knowledge which, in the case of bees, includes 
the execution of many duties simultaneously 
performed. But in both instances one mind 
pervades the whole company. 

Another example, in which the reasoning 
faculty is eliminated, is presented when we 
come to consider the functional operations, 
simultaneously performed, which are in con- 
stant process within the human body. In 


BEES SGOULS 181 


health we do not consider nor give a thought 
to these functions, for they operate of them- 
selves, automatically, as we say; but really 
they act under the control of the natural, sub- 
conscious mind which, truly it may be said, 
is the ever-wakeful ‘‘ captain of the ship.” 

Bees are endowed with a greater variety of 
instincts than perhaps any other community 
of insects. The doings of these creatures are 
so astonishing that it is difficult to believe that 
their works are not the result of reason. The 
effects of instinct seem more wonderful than 
those of reason ; and so indeed they are, and. 
much more certain in their performance than 
canever be the tentative efforts of the reasoning 
mind. 

No sooner has a bee dried her wings after 
emergence from the native cell, than immedi- 
ately she sets to work with a perfect knowledge 
of what has to be done, and does it accord- 
ingly. Itis absurd, therefore, to imagine that 
the creature is acting with individual intelli- 
gence. And yet it seems to be a generally 
accepted fact that bees, prior to swarming, 
send out scouts to prospect for a suitable 
habitation which, it is said, is subsequently 
occupied by the new colony. Who sends 
them ? | 

If this act of scouting were indeed a fact, it 


182 BEES SENSE ASA OAV Ty, 

would prove beyond all question of doubt 
that bees are reasoning creatures possessed of 
minds on a level with human intelligence. For, 
in this event, the bees must certainly commu- 
nicate the results of their investigations, and 
at the time of swarming the said scouts would 
have to lead the way to the previously chosen 
spot, always supposing that the bees’ sight is 
such as to enable them to keep the leaders in 
view. Without individual intelligence, such 
a performance must be impossible. 

As, naturally, we are apt to regard animal 
manifestations from the human standpoint, 
it is little wonder that we can be deceived 
by appearances. This ‘scouting party,” for 
instance, may have quite a different interpre- 
tation put upon it. The scouts, we will say, 
are observed busy on the roof of a house. At 
first they are seen to rove up and down the 
sloping slates or tiles, evidently in search of an 
aperture which may or may not exist; but in 
any case they have some trouble in finding it, 
which is due to the bee’s very short range of 
vision. It is not, however, the hole in the roof 
which first attracts the bees’ attention, but 
the fact that under the roof there is a hollow 
space. How do they know it ? 

As the water-finder discovers the presence 
of an underground spring, and the ichneumon- 


BEES “SENSE” A CAVITY 183 


fly detects the larva concealed in the wood of 
the tree, so have bees a like power of finding 
cavities which from the outside show no indica- 
tions. 

That this is actually the case I have no 
doubt whatever, and I think that anyone 
investigating in the way I have done will come 
to the same conclusion. 

But first I should say that, in my belief, 
these “‘ scouts,” though possibly belonging to 
the same hive, are not sent out in connection 
with the swarm, but are merely insects whose 
line of flight to the meadows has chanced to 
carry them over the house-top, where their 
course has been arrested by a certain sense 
perception which to these insects indicates a 
cavity. 

But if after due investigation no means of 
ingress be discovered the bees abandon the 
house, though some few find their way 
through the windows ; the bee, however, has 
no use for an aperture of the dimensions of a 
window frame. On the other hand, should a 
hole be found in the tiles, that particular root 
will always attract a certain amount of bees, 
for these creatures cannot resist exploring a 
hole which leads to a cavity. 

Seeing that bees are bred and reared in 
cavities of some description, where, indeed, 


184 A PRACTICAL TEST 


the most part of their existence is spent, it is 
a very natural instinct which inclines them to 
make these explorations. 

Now we shall proceed to a practical test 
which, in my opinion, suffices to prove that 
bees have the power to discover cavities 
independently of eyesight. 

Let the nature-student betake himself to a 
wood where the-trees are sparse. Here ona 
bright day in early spring he will meet with 
humble-bees of different species who are mak- 
ing their first appearance after hybernation. 
These bees are all females bent on the same 
object, which is to find a suitable under- 
ground cavity wherein to rear the brood of 
the year. 

Whilst strolling in the copse the investiga- 
tor soon catches sight of his quest, a portly 
humble-bee, who is in the act of flying round 
in circles over the ground ; as he approaches 
the insect buzzes round him and then goes off, 
but returns again immediately to continue the 
Same manceuvres. In the meanwhile, the 
observer has taken up his position against a 
tree, where he remains motionless and watches 
the bee in the execution of her circuitous 
evolutions. 

But to state the matter shortly, the meaning 
of this particular behaviour on the part of the 


HUMBLE-BEE “SENSING” A CAVITY 185 


bee—which can only be witnessed at this 
season—is that she is now in the act of 
‘sensing ” the ground for a cavity in which 
to construct her nest. Innine cases out of ten 
she is unsuccessful—no such cavity exists ; in 
that case the bee goes off elsewhere to resume 
her quest. Thus the naturalist needs to have 
patience. But his time will come; sooner or 
later he will be rewarded by seeing the bee, 
after circling round in the usual fashion, drop 
on the ground and commence to crawl about 
amongst the dead leaves and brambles. In 
this event it may be concluded that she has 
“sensed” a cavity, and is now endeavouring 
to find an entrance to it. If the hollow space 
lies close beneath the surface the bee forces 
her way into it ; but ifit should be deep down, 
and there is no mouse’s hole leading into it or 
other means of access, she quits the spot and 
flies off to hunt in another place. But in this 
case it is always worth while to prod round 
about the spot with some sharp-pointed instru- 
ment, for the chances are that a hollow space 
will be detected. 

These investigations, of course, involve 
some trouble and a considerable amount of 
patience, but the truth-seeker will not grudge 
the time thus spent. 

If it were not for this sense perception which 


186 _ BEES’ AND WASPS’ NESTS 
empowers insects to discover concealed cavi- 
ties, bees and wasps would never get into the 
odd places from which in late summer we see 
them emerging in vast numbers. 


CHAPTER XXV 
TELZSTHESIA 


TELESTHESIA—-clairvoyant perception —ac- 
counts, I believe, not only for the ‘“‘ homing ”’ 
instinct, but it is this same faculty (travelling 
clairvoyance) which enables birds of different 
species on migration to find their way to 
remote countries over hundreds, nay, thous- 
ands of miles of land and sea. 

With seasonal regularity millions of birds 
journey to and fro from one continent to 
another. Birds of the year are, of course, 
making the journey for the first time. How 
do they achieve such an_ undertaking? 
‘Observation and memory ”’ theorists assert 
that the young birds are conducted by their 
parents, or others who have made the journey 
before. Let us consider what this really 
amounts to. Picture a case, the case of the 
Willow-Warbler, for instance. 

The Willow-Warbler (P. trochilus) is a very 
small bird of weakly flying habit, nevertheless 
itis along distance migrant. Supposing, then, 

187 


188 MIGRATION OF THE WILLOW WARBLER 


that a family of these warblers sets out on a 
journey from England to Africa. Starting 
from an inland place they have first to find 
their way to the coast, where, possibly, they 
fallin with other migrants bound in a southerly 
direction; but being weak fliers they are 
unable to keep pace, and so are thrown on 
their own resources, viz., the supposed know- 
ledge possessed -by the parent birds of the 
route from England to Africa. Once out at 
sea, landmarks disappear and occasional fogs 
are encountered, to say nothing of the fact 
that birds on migration fly mostly at night, 
resting by day or on reaching land. However, 
after travelling thus for many days and nights, 
and covering anything over 1,000 miles, the 
party duly arrives, and from this one experi- 
ence the young birds must be prepared, in six 
months’ time, to retrace every mile of the way 
back, for by that time they will have become 
separated and lost to one another. (Most, if 
not all, male warblers arrive in advance of the 
females.) 

If this case is insufficient to prove that it is 
not parental guidance which enables young 
birds to find their way to far distant climes, we 
shall turn to a migrant who can learn nothing 
from its parents: namely, the familiar cuckoo. 

The cuckoo, with its hawk-like appearance, 


TELASTHESIA MANIFESTED IN MAN 189 


is an outcast and shunned by the whole com- 
munity of the feathered race. Far from tend- 
ing and instructing their progeny, the parent 
cuckoos leave them to take their chance of 
being reared by a non-migrating species 
(usually), whilst they (the parents) quit the 
country some two months in advance of their 
offspring (known fact). And yet these young 
cuckoos, who are not gregarious and who may 
be seen singly, dotted about over the country, 
manage to find their way from far north 
(Norway) to Africa. 

Observation and memory will not account 
for these performances ; but telesthesia, a 
faculty of subconscious mind, covers the whole 
in a nutshell. 

Telzsthesia—perception at a distance or 
power of vision transcending time and space— 
is, I believe, a subconscious faculty possessed 
by animals in a high degree. For reasons 
given, telesthesia, like some other subcon- 
scious faculties, is but rarely manifested in 
man. There are, however, authentic cases of 
persons, in the trance or dream-state (when 
self-conscious mind is in abeyance), having 
_ very distinct visions of people and places with 
minute details of surroundings entirely un- 
known to the seer, but which afterwards have 
been verified. Itis needless to quote instances, 


190 HOW MAN FINDS HIS WAY 


for the fact of these occurrences is well known 
to most people. Sufficient, therefore, that 
telesthesia is a fact, and one, I think, which 
goes far to solve the mystery of “homing” ; 
and, moreover, it is by this means that birds, 
animals and others, find their way about, and, 
in the case of birds, to far-distant countries. 

We have seen that birds, whether old or 
young, are capable of finding their way from 
Great Britain to Africa or elsewhere. But, 
whereas birds do so naturally, man, having 
practically no innate sense of direction, was 
forced to use his intelligence in the matter of 
travel and learn by experience how to find his 
way about. This could only be done by 
venturing a short way at first, taking mental 
notes of the surroundings, and then increasing 
the distances. When, however, his journey- 
ings became extended it was necessary to 
record observations in black and white lest 
hismemory should fail him. But still, when at 
sea and celestial indications were obliterated 
by fog and cloudy weather, he was at a loss, 
and so had to fall back on nature. He in- 
vented the Magnetic Compass, a material con- 
trivance, but having an index imbued with 
natural power, a power of which he knew little 
beyond the fact that it was infallible and un- 
affected by distance. Furnished with this 


NATURE LIKENED TO A VAST MACHINE ror 


natural appliance, man, thenceforth, was able 
to steer a true course. 

The Mariner’s Compass supplied the one 
thing needful when lost on a trackless waste— 
a knowledge of direction. 

As [have said, nature is like a vast machine, 
all of whose parts are connected and shade 
imperceptibly one into another, the whole 
actuated by a mainspring—All-Mind. Thus, 
the Force-of-Life flows continuously through 
the entire system ; but, as this machine is one 
—the only one—of perpetual motion, it is 
clear there can be no loss of power or waste of 
any kind. As surely as the life-force circu- 
lates, keeping the wheels in motion, so surely 
must it come round, eventually, to the source 
of emanation, as arterial life-blood returns to 
the heart ; otherwise the machine would not 
be one of perpetual motion, which the fact of 
eternity proves that it is. 

O is the emblem of eternity, and rightly, 
for it has no beginning and no end. Now we 
observe in nature that all her works are carried 
on by a system of circles. From every point 
of view there appear globes, spheres, orbits 
and cycles. As an instance of nature’s cycles : 
Vapour rises from the sea, condenses, falls on 
the mountains, is gathered into streams, whose 
waters find their way back to the ocean ; the 
O 





192 NATURE’S INVISIBLE CONNECTIONS 


circuit is complete and continuous. The life- 
history of animate things demonstrates the 
same continuity. We have already traced the 
connections which link the ovum and perfect 
insect. Again, in the vegetable kingdom, 
there is the seed, the gradual evolution of the 
plant culminating in the flower, and seed 
again, ad infinitum. 

The wheels ofa man-made machine cannot 
revolve unless arranged in lines of connection ; 
nature is the same, there can be no motion 
or manifestation except the connections are 
complete. But, in nature’s case, the links are 
often immaterial ; there exist those invisible 
connections which elude investigation. 

The action of electricity, which may be said 
to transcend time and space, will perhaps 
illustrate my meaning. Before it can be 
energized, electric force must pass along a 
suitable conductor, which may be material, 
such as a metal wire, or, a psycho-physical 
medium (ether), as in wireless telegraphy. In 
any case, connection must be made, or there 
is no activity. We do not know what elec- 
tricity is, but can always test it when operating 
with a material medium by filling in the last 
link which completes the circuit. 

Telepathy and telesthesia, if not identical 
with electricity, operate, I believe, in the same 


BIRDS TRAVEL AT NIGHT 193 


way; before results can obtain, circuitous 
connection must be established. But as these 
forces ply through a medium not apparent to 
sense, we cannot determine the necessary 
conditions. 

Now, with regard to migrations, it is a well- 
known fact that migrating birds travel, for the 
most part, at night.t. There is a reason for this. 
In the writer’s belief, migration takes place at 
night because darkness (absence of sunlight) is 
a condition favourable to telesthesia, in that 
it strengthens the connections. 

When surrounded by obscurity there is 
nothing (not even landmarks) to distract the 
bird’s attention ; subconscious mind, therefore, 
functions uninterruptedly. But when a bright 
light, such as a lighthouse, appears, the bird’s 
physical eye is immediately attracted, the 
migrant is drawn towards the light, and if 
not shattered by coming in contact with the 
structure, is, for the time being, bewildered. 
The physical faculty has led to the disruption 
of the psychological connection, and until the 
former conditions are re-established the bird 
cannot proceed on its true course ; the conse- 
quence is, the unfortunate migrant batters 
itself in a vain endeavour. Thus, many 


11Tt is noteworthy that the Marconi system works better at 
night than by day. 


194 SEEING MENTALLY 


thousands never reach the land of which, so 
recently, they had a clear vision. 

Though there are said to be day-dreamers 
as well as night-dreamers, the normal condi- 
tion of the dream state is when the eyes are 
closed in darkness to the outer world and 
physical life is dormant. It is then we see 
mentally. This is a suggestive reflection, and 
may help to explain the functioning of the 
bird’s subconscious mind. I do not imply the 
birds are asleep, far from it, but when pursuing 
a purposeful course they act in accordance 
with the only form of mentality they possess, 
which is subconscious, and functions on an 
astral plane. Man, as we have seen, also has 
access to this plane, when the conditions are 
such as to prevent the working of his self- 
conscious mind. 

Though birds do not lose the power (telzs- 
thesia) in the presence of ordinary light (the 
pigeon is evidence), I believe darkness to be 
the more favourable condition. 


CHAPTER XXVI 
MIGRATIONS 


BEFORE setting out on migration, birds, the 
swallow tribe for instance, begin to collect at 
some point near the coast. For several days 
parties of these intending migrants continue 
to arrive from inland districts until a large 
number has assembled. Among them may be 
seen sand-martins, house-martins, and the 
common swallow. Telegraph wires are often 
chosen by these small-footed birds as in every 
way suitable for their mass-meeting. In ser- 
ried files, almost touching one another, they sit 
on the wires in groups and companies, whilst 
others are hawking in the neighbourhood. 
Under these circumstances we have again an 
opportunity for observing telepathic mind- 
blending. Spontaneously, without incidental 
alarm of any kind, a batch of 50 or 100 birds 
is seen to quit the wires as if, literally, they 
had been struck off by an electric shock'; but 


* A bird perched on a telegraph wire is not affected by the 
electric current ; this would only be possible in the unlikely event 
of its possessing one leg long enough to touch the ground beneath, 


195 


106 SWALLOWS 


once on the wing they separate, each pursuing 
his own course in search of flies. 

Swallows when feeding have no system of 
linked flight, nor perhaps at any time ; swifts, 
however, when not actually catering, perform 
wonderful combined evolutions at extraordi- 
nary speed. At these times the birds scream 
for the same reason that the travelling geese 
“ gabble.”’ 

Though the swallows and martins are seen 
to leave the telegraph wires simultaneously, 
they come back independently and swing 
themselves up one after another, or in twos 
and threes, but when settled are again in 
telepathic sympathy. 

One day the observer returns to find the 
birds gone, and concludes they must have left 
the night before. This is probably the case ; 
for though it may have fallen to the lot of some 
to have witnessed the final departure during 
the daytime, it would be exceptional, which 
points to the fact that the birds are in the 
habit of travelling at night. 

What actually determines the psychological 
moment of departure we cannot say, though 
we may be sure that it is not a case of “‘ making 
up their minds ’”’; birds have no minds, in that 
sense, to be made up, they cannot reason on 
abstract matters. However, we can surmise 


FACTORS CONTROLLING MIGRATIONS 197 


that so soon as the necessary conditions are 
right, connection is made when the faculty, 
telesthesia, comes into operation, and the 
birds, simultaneously, depart en masse. 

Some maintain that the factors controlling 
migrations of birds are, first and foremost, the 
wind ; and secondly, the bird’s knowledge of 
the way (landmarks ?). These say, that when 
the wind blows cold from the north, it is a 
warning to the birds, who then take flight and 
are wafted in the right (southerly) direction. 
The same when returning, the hot wind from 
the desert brings them back; if instinct is 
allowed, it is only of secondary consideration. 
This view seems hardly satisfactory, for it 
leaves too much to chance, whereas nature 
leaves nothing to chance. 

That wind is one of the conditions I have 
no doubt whatever; so are the wings of the 
bird a condition—both are natural means in 
aid of locomotion. But whether the wind 
blows hot or cold, the bird, even if affected by 
it, is not conscious of the fact; if we admit 
that, it brings us again to the reasoning mind. 
In my belief, cold does not affect birds ; but 
what does affect them is lack of food, which is 
the primary cause of migration. Swallows 
sometimes arrive in extremely cold weather 
and, again, leave long before the cold weather 


198 WITHOUT LOSING THE WAY 

sets in. Therefore I opine that neither 
swallows nor any other bird of a temperate 
clime suffers from cold, but starvation soon 
puts an end to them. 

Birds of certain species migrate in enormous 
companies which take daysin passing; others 
travel in comparatively small lots; some- 
times a mere handful is seen, and even single 
individuals make their way over a trackless 
sea. But none of these fly at random ; singly 
or in groups, they are psychologically con- 
nected up with their respective stations and 
travel without thought of losing their way; a 
constant danger, however, is an adverse gale 
of wind. When this happens the birds are 
either beaten down and drowned, or forcibly 
driven hundreds of miles out of their course, 
when they turn up in regions quite outside of 
their natural limits. The occurrence of rare 
birds under these circumstances does not, of 
course, entitle the visitants to be claimed as 
indigenous to the countries in which they are 
identified and recorded. For instance, the 
Sand-Grouse (Syrraptes paradoxus), periodi- 
cally noted in Great Britain, is not, and never 
was, a British species. 

However much encouraged and protected, 
this bird does not remain permanently ; and 
the same applies to many others. For this 


URGE OF SUBCONSCIOUS MIND 199 


reason it is practically useless to attempt to 
establish a species not indigenous to the 
country when that species has the means of 
escaping from it ; sooner or later subconscious 
mind urges the creature home, back to its 
native land. 

The appearance of a migration of shore- 
birds flying out of sight of land over the sur- 
face of the ocean, is indeed significant of the 
infinite possibilities of nature, and ideally 
suggests “ the Spirit of God moving upon the 
mace,On thevwaters 2) 4'"/ 


CHAPTER XXVII 
MR. HUTCHINSON’S ACCOUNT (‘‘ CORNHILL ’’) 


REFERRING to*Mr. Hutchinson’s account in 
the Cornhill, re bird migrations in connection 
with the war, the Globe says: 

‘“We have a vast collection of facts as to 
when and where birds migrate, but we can 
only conjecture how they accomplish their 
remarkable feats. The routes pursued by 
migratory birds, both in spring and autumn, 
are unchanging; they have been observed, 
mapped out and recorded. But the war has 
already brought great disturbance into a 
region of natural life where for many years 
everything has been normal. Some unusual 
phenomena were observed last autumn, and, 
rightly or wrongly, the changes in the habits 
of various species of birds were attributed to 
the war. As yet, however, it is impossible to 
say definitely what has been the effect of the 
war upon the autumn migration. ... 

“Those birds which have made several 
nocturnal visits to our shores and the shores of 


200 


MR. HUTCHINSON’S ACCOUNT 201 


other lands, must have grown accustomed to 
certain definite appearances of the coast-lines ; 
they will, for example, have observed the lights 
of seaside towns and of lightships, and it is 
assumed by ornithologists that the appear- 
ances in no small measure act as guides to 
the birds. But, in the place of friendly and 
accustomed lights, the feathered creatures 
have witnessed ‘the whole arch of heaven 
swept unceasingly by the immense search- 
lights’ projected from land and sea. It is 
difficult to believe that a large number of 
them have not already failed to find their way 
under these new conditions and strayed out of 
their course to strange and perhaps unsuitable 
lands. The sound of continuous cannon must 
also have affected the distribution of birds, 
but not until this turmoil is over shall we be 
able to study the exact changes in distribu- 
tion that have taken place, nor shall we know 
whether those changes are permanent or only 
temporary.” 

That the disturbance in Northern France 
and Flanders will have some temporary effect 
on the distribution of birds seems inevitable. 
The matter is of considerable interest to orni- 
thologists, who should endeavour to trace the 
wanderings of the spring migrants who, like 
the unfortunate human inhabitants, will be 


202 EFFECT OF THE WAR ON BIRDS 


compelled to fly from the stricken area. These 
human refugees have already sought shelter in 
countries beyond the zone of their natural 
haunts; but as these, it is to be hoped, will 
shortly be repatriated, so will the birds 
eventually settle down in their accustomed 
places. 


Note. 


Owing to the publication of this book having 
been delayed on account of the war, I am able 
to add a note to the effect that, contrary to all 
expectations, there has been xo exodus of birds 
from the battlefields of France and Flanders. 

An officer at the front, in an interesting 
article written to The Times, March 2nd, 1916, 
says: “‘ The noise and bustle of war do not 
drive away the birds, not even from the 
trenches, and I can remember no nesting 
season which introduced more birds unknown 
to me than last summer.” 

The fact is, the birds, unreasoning creatures 
with no free will of their own, can but obey 
nature's ruling, which is not subject to altera- 
tion on account of incidental local disturbance. 
Therefore, in the face of danger, of which they 
know nothing, the birds keep on the same 
course and frequent the same places which for 
countless generations has been their custom. 


BIRDS NESTING IN FACE OF TURMOIL 203 


The migrants, at the appointed times, auto- 
matically proceed to and fro between their 
stations, outside of which they have no know- 
ledge or perception. The residents, by the 
same ruling, are confined to their home sur- 
roundings, notwithstanding “the noise and 
bustle of war.” If forcibly ejected, “homing ”’ 
instinct would infallibly bring them back. 

This wouldseem the only possible explanation 
accounting for the birds’ persistence in holding 
their own, and actually nesting in face of the 
turmoil of battle. Moreover, it is an item of 
evidence which strongly supports my con- 
tention, namely, that creatures do not act on 
their own responsibility, but are dependent on 
the ruling of subconscious mind. The evidence 
is important because unique; no one could 
have predicted what effect the war disturbance 
would have on the birds, for never in the 
world’s history has there been anything like 
it from which we could form a judgment. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 
BIRDS IN EXISTENCE BEFORE LIGHTHOUSES 


My endeavour in treating this subject has been 
to show how birds and others ‘“ accomplish 
their remarkable feats,’’ and if my convictions 
are in the track of truth, we must conclude 
that “definite appearances of coast-lines 
shown up by the projections of light from sea- 
side towns, lightships and lighthouses,” are a 
hindrance rather than a guide to the birds, and 
also that powerful searchlights would tend to 
baffle the migrants. 

It must be remembered that migrating birds 
were in existence long before the erection of 
lighthouses and electrically lighted towns ; 
therefore, if birds were capable of finding their 
way in times when the nights were unillumined 
by artificial rays, it is presumable they can do 
so now. For though man, in consequence of 
his reasoning mind, has progressed and altered 
his ways of living, birds, who have not the 
same advantage, have retained their primal 
habits. 


204 


INSPIRATION 205 


Possessed of a reasoning mind over and 
above his subconsciousness, man has acquired 
a certain stock of knowledge; but this 
acquired knowledge is superficial compared 
with subconscious intelligence. Thus, what- 
ever man learns or whatsoever he achieves, is 
the product of his mental labour ; for, unlike 
the birds, he has no accessible spontaneous 
knowledge—except, in the rare cases of 
inspiration, which is, in effect, upspringing 
intelligence of subconscious mind. Whether 
this be latent or results from extraneous in- 
fluence, need not here be discussed. Under 
normal conditions all knowledge must be 
acquired, either by self-instruction or learned 
from another. 

Example : Notwithstanding that the action 
of swimming is entirely different to that of 
land progression, a dog swims naturally (sub- 
consciously) at the first attempt; but man, 
who has had every opportunity for observing 
the actions of animals in the water, is, never- 
theless, some time in acquiring the art—to 
him it is art. 

The reason for this is, of course, that the 
man’s self-conscious reasoning mind, deficient 
in these matters, overrules the other, the mind 
that knows, with the result that he has to 
learn to overcome fear conjured up by his 


206 WITHOUT MENTAL EFFORT 


imagination and also practise the necessary 
body movements. Having learned, he relegates 
the knowledge to his instinctive (subconscious) 
mind and swims, like the dog, without mental 
effort. In the same way, a person knits, or 
plays the piano, without giving a thought to 
the matter. Although I instance knitting and 
playing on an instrument, these particular 
accomplishments are not native to subcon- 
scious mind in the way that swimming is 
natural; but like all acquired knowledge, it is 
possible to commit them to memory, which is 
the same subconscious mind. The commit- 
ment, however, is often a slow and difficult 
process ; but once the knowledge is acquired 
it is always there, though not always accessible, 
because the connection which links the two 
minds is of a subtile nature ; the “‘ switch,” so 
to speak, is apt to elude the grasp. 

But to return to the effects of the war on 
animal life. Certain nature observers in this 
country have remarked on the odd behaviour 
of pheasants consequent on the disturbance 
now proceeding (January, 1916). Accounts 
from many districts have been sent up and 
recorded in the daily papers. These reports 
are interesting, for though there is nothing 
new in the fact that pheasant cocks crow and 
beat their wings in response to distant sounds, 


PHEASANTS SENSITIVE TO VIBRATIONS 207 


it shows how acutely sensitive these, and 
probably all birds, are to vibrations which to 
the human ear are scarcely if at all perceptible. 

Though we know the cause of these demon- 
strations, the question is, why should the birds 
be thus affected? To arrive at a possible 
solution of the problem we must as usual in- 
vestigate the habits and character of the 
species. To begin with, we note that many 
birds of the gallinaceous order are polyga- 
mous: to wit, domestic fowls, pea-fowl, tur- 
keys, black-game, etc., including pheasants. 
The male bird in all these cases is distinctly 
and distinguishably “‘cock of the walk.” 
Paramount and supreme in his own run, the 
cock pheasant must needs live up to his 
reputation, nemo me impune lacessit, otherwise 
he will surely be deposed by one more valiant 
in the eyes of the female following. Naturally 
fierce and combative, the bird is ever on the 
gui vive and ready to tackle the first intruder 
who dares venture within his precincts ; any 
overstepping of the boundary is the prelude 
to a fight. But, as a rule, the cocks, warned 
by the challenges heard in various directions, 
keep to their own ground. This perpetual 
“crowing,” accompanied by “‘ wing-drum- 
ming,’ is a natural provision and a very 
effective one, for it results in keeping the 
P 


208 “CROWING”’ A SUBCONSCIOUS ACT 
parties at a safe distance from one another, 
which is exactly nature’s intent. 

The “crowing’’ is a subconscious act ; 
metaphorically, a small but important “ cog- 
wheel ’’ in nature’s machinery which ensures 
the proper working of the system. The 
movement might be described as a recipro- 
cating arrangement. In plain words, the 
cock pheasant is so “‘strung’”’ as to “go off” 
instantly on the impact of the sonorous vi- 
brations set up by the “drumming ”’ of his 
rivals, in the same way as a sounding note 
causes another of the same quality to rever- 
berate in sympathy. 

It is no stretch of the imagination, there- 
fore, to believe that the distant booming of 
cannon, thunder and such-like sounds, have 
precisely the same effect on the birds, always 
accepting the premise, viz., that the said 
“drumming ’”’ is an automatic manifestation. 

This view of the matter, to my mind, is con- 
firmed by the fact that the pheasant (or 
turkey) ejaculates guicker than a human being 
can exclaim after hearing a sound. In the 
bird’s case there is no after, the ejaculation is 
coincident with the sound. A general clamour 
continues for some time afterwards, but that 
is due to the cocks answering one another, 
independently. 


ERECTILE EAR-COVERS 209 
Incidentally, it should be noted that pheas- 
ant cocks are furnished with erectile opercula 
(ear-covers). That these are specially adapted 
for intercepting and concentrating sound vi- 
brations, there can be little doubt. 


CHAPTER XXIX 
TESTING THE PROPOSITION 


In writing of the subconscious mind in the 
Animal World, as it appears to me, I have 
described the acts of a variety of creatures 
belonging to widely separated classes in order 
to test the proposition from different aspects. 
In each case the evidence submitted tends 
strongly to prove the correctness of the thesis. 

The old, and generally accepted idea, 
namely, that animals perform “ their remark- 
able feats’? by a process of reasoning (the 
pigeon taking notes of ‘“‘the hills and the 
valleys” is typical of this belief), stands no 
testing whatever, it breaks down at every 
point ; but if we believe that subconscious 
mind is integral of All-Mind, which is my con- 
tention, the ‘‘feats’’ of animals are not so 
‘remarkable ’”’ as absolutely natural. 

In attributing infallibility to subconscious 
mind, it is because a close study of nature 
has convinced me that such is the truth. 
The manifestations of subconscious mind are 


210 


INFALLIBILITY 211 


apparent, not only in the actions of animals, 
but in all natural phenomena: such as the 
movements of the sun and planets in their 
orbits ; the ebb and flow of tides ; the regular 
succession of the seasons, etc. All these hap- 
penings are governed by the same unerring 
intelligence. 

The idea of infallibility is difficult to realize 
because of the limitations of the self-conscious 
reasoning mind, which fails to grasp what is 
beyond personal experience. 

“ Nature in her Divine purity ”’ knows with- 
out reasoning, therefore in pure nature all 
works well and harmoniously; there is no 
evil, consequently no sin. What impurities 
exist arise from want of knowledge in the 
reasoning mind and so filter through to nature. 
The fallible reasoning mind is inconstant ; 
intuition and reason are at variance, hence 
discord and strife. But this opens out a large 
subject. In the meantime, it may be taken 
that until the human mind has attained to 
super-consciousness and is at one with the 
Infinite, impurities must apparently contami- 
nate nature in many directions. Nevertheless, 
impurity is not a truly natural condition. 

Too long have we been following in the old 
tracks ; so worn are they, indeed, as to have 
become positively ruts out of which it is 


212 NATURE AND MAN 

difficult to flounder. The line I have traced 
in this paper may indicate a path affording 
firmer footing. The highway to truth is 
assuredly in the study of natural history; na- 
ture’s open book contains all we would know, 
could we but clearly decipher the language in 
which it is written. 

Though it is true there are many more 
nature students to-day than existed, say, 
fifty years ago, and more accurate knowledge 
obtainable, still, the majority does not seem to 
realize the grave importance of this study. 
The world, in fact, is too busy to give heed to 
life functioning on a lower plane, notwith- 
standing that the knowledge intimately con- 
cerns humanity at large. Nevertheless, it will 
be noted that in arts and invention, science, 
in doubt or difficulty, invariably has to fall 
back upon nature. 

Example: In course of development, flying 
machines are assuming more and more the 
bird-like form and poise, even to the upturned 
tip of the wing (Taube), which in some species 
of birds is more or less flexible. Eventually, I 
believe, the monoplane will supersede all other 
designs of aircraft, because truer to nature, 
who already has the perfect model. And yet, 
withal, we speak of “improving on nature.” 
But this is impossible ; the most we can do is 


ALL-MIND 213 
to assist nature by eliminating detrimental 
factors and substituting those of a helpful 
character; but it is Nature herself who, taking 
advantage of the more favourable conditions, 
expends her surplus energy (Force-of-Life) in 
modifying the original type. 

Nature can learn nothing from man, who is 
part of herself, but man can and will acquire 
from nature such knowledge as will eventually 
lead him to a real understanding of the meaning 
of life. 

The more we study nature the more surely 
we realize that all her parts are linked together 
and moved by the One Spirit—ALL-MIND. 

To quote Pope’s admirable couplet, which 
refers to that— 

“ stupendous whole, 

Whose body nature is and God the soul.” 


bist Die 


v 





INDEX 


A Disease, 120. 
Aeroplane, 62. Doves, 46. 
Aestivation, 163. Drumming, 207. 
Addled egg, 56-8. Duck-decoy, 146. 
Antics, 98. Dunlin, 107. 

Antenne, 24, 94. 
Ants, 27. 
Aquatic-birds, 100. E 
Eel, 136. 
B Eggar moth, 37. 

Elephant, 148. 
Baits, 171. Emperor-moth, 17. 
Bees, 176. Equilibrium, 123. 
Birds’ nests, 40. Ermine moth, 38 
Birds’ eggs, 49. Exposers, 99. 
Birds’ flight, 62. 
Birds’ in connection with the 

war, 200. F 
Birds’ sight, 121. Fabre (French naturalist), 34. 
Birds’ songs, 93. Firewood-gatherer, 47. 
Blackbird, 40. Flight, 77. 
Black-headed gull, 73. Freaks, 120. 
Bombylius, 88. Frogs, 134. 
Buff-tip, 37. 

C G 
Cabbage-white, 8. Geese, 105. 
Coleoptera, 87. Golden plover, 106. 
Concealers, 99. Golden oriole, 45. 
Corncrake, 97. Golden-crested wren, 45. 
Crowned hornbill, 42. Gordius aquaticus, 136. 
Crowing, 206. Green woodpecker, 83. 
Cuckoo, 188. Group-souls, 28. 
Curlew, 100. Grouse, packing, I12. 
Cyclic system, I9QI. Guillemot, 52. 

D H 
Dog, scenting, 4. Hawk-moths, 9o. 
Dog, swimming, 205. Hedge-sparrow, 59. 


215 


216 INDEX 


Heron, 72. Partridges, 110, 84. 
Homing, 133, 203. Pensile nests, 45. 
Horse, 148. Pheasants, 206. 
Hover-fly, 88. Pied-flycatcher, 56. 
Humble bee, 184. Pigeons, racing, 126. 
Humming-bird, 88. Pigeons, homing, 126. 
Humming-bird moth, 87. Pigeons, training, 131. 
Hybrids, 142. Polygamous birds, 207. 
Prawn, 172. . 
I Prismatic mirror, 153. 
Processionary caterpillars, 29. 
Ichneumons, 14, 22. Protections, 99. 
Insect-flight, 86. Puss-moth, 14. 
Instrumental music, 94. 
Jj Q 
Quail, 110, 
Jack-snipe, 93. Queen bee, 176. 
jock Scotty? 75S3.167, 
R 
K Rhyssa persuasoria, 20. 
Kelt, 170. Robin, 123. 
Rooks, 108. 
" S 


Laggards, 111. 
Leaders, Ior, 102. 
Life-principle, 25. 
Lighthouse, 193. 
Long-tailed tit, 44. 


Sand-grouse, 198. 
Salmon, 155. 
Salmon flies, 157. 
Saw-flies, 38. 
Sheep, 113. 
Silken thread, 36. 


M Sirex, 21. 

: Skylarks, 153. 
Magpie, 47. Bonet pee 
Magnetic compass, 190. Snipe, bleating oe 
Melitza aurinia, 37. Shanda ue » 95+ 


Mind-blending, 26, 28. Sounding-board, 95. 


Souls of animals, 25. 


O Spider’s web, 33. 
gM Stampede, 115. 
Ovipositor, 20, 22. Swallows, migration of, 195. 
Oxygen, 163. Swans, 65, 69. 
P T 
Panic, 115. Telesthesia, 133, 187, 197. 


Parthenogenesis, 19. Telepathy, 1, 29, 69, 178. 


INDEX 217 


Thrush, 119. W 


Toads, 134. Water-divining, 2. 


Trout, 139, 155. 

Trout, white-trout, 141. Marnie 99, 158 

Trout, slob-trout, 141. Wasps, 186 hae . 
White admiral, ro, 
Whitethroat, 40. 
Wild-duck, mallard, 99. 

V Willow-warbler, 187. 

Wood-warbler, 41. 
Woodcock, 78, 122. 

V-shape form of flight, 102. Woodpeckers, 83. 

Valve principle, 77. Worm, 171. 


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